U.S. Department of Justice

Federal Bureau of Investigation

100 W. Capitol Street
Suite 1553
Jackson, Mississippi 39269

FBI JACKSON, PUBLIC AFFAIRS
(601) 948-5000

For Immediate Release
January 4, 2007

ARREST MADE IN BANK EXTORTION CASE

On Friday, December 22, 2006, FBI Special Agents and Hattiesburg Police Department (HPD) Detectives were alerted that the manager of The Grand Bank, located at 206 Westover Drive, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, had discovered an extortionate demand letter at the front door of the bank. The letter demanded a large sum of money. Later that evening, utilizing investigative techniques, the FBI and HPD Detectives, working with bank personnel, were successful in locating, identifying and arresting STEVEN BENJAMIN FLOYD, age 24, originally of Myrtle, Mississippi, without incident.

FLOYD was arrested for violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2113(a), "Bank Extortion." FLOYD appeared for his arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Michael T. Parker in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, on Sunday, December 24. A detention hearing was scheduled for Tuesday, December 26, but was continued to Friday, December 29, 2006, pending FLOYD's psychiatric evaluation. FLOYD is currently being held in the custody of the United States Marshal in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

Mr. John G. Raucci, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Mississippi, stressed that the charges upon which the arrest of STEVEN BENJAMIN FLOYD are premised are accusations only and there is a presumption of innocence prior to any judicial proceeding.