Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, April 12, 1990                   TAG: 9004120721
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-3   EDITION: EVENING 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: ALEXANDRIA                                LENGTH: Short

STUDENT TO PLEAD GUILTY IN EXTORTION

Emmett M. Grier III, a student at Howard University, was indicted Feb. 22 after he and a friend allegedly tried to extort money from the mother of Melissa Brannen. According to police, the men told Brannen that they would return her missing daughter in exchange for the cash.

Grier's lawyer, David Hopkins, said his client will plead guilty to all five counts when he goes to court on Monday. Hopkins said there were no deals made in exchange for the plea.

"It is his present intention to [plead guilty]," Hopkins said Wednesday. "No plea bargain is being entered. My client recognizes his guilt."

Grier, who is free on $10,000 bond, is in Detroit with his parents. He faces as much as 70 years in prison and fines of $1.25 million.

The other suspect in the case, Anthony McCray of Canton, Mich., will be tried April 25 on five charges stemming from the alleged extortion.

McCray, 23, is being held without bond.

Both men allegedly took advantage of Melissa Brannen's disappearance in a scheme to collect $75,000 from the young girl's mother. Brannen informed the FBI prior to her meeting with the men, and the suspects were apprehended shortly after taking the money.