Arizona man sentenced for extorting Georgia Tech after falsely accusing basketball coach of sexual assault

An Arizona man has been sentenced to nearly three years in prison after attempting to extort Georgia Tech by falsely accusing its men’s basketball coach of sexual assault. Ronald Bell, 57, was sentenced on Thursday, July 28th, to two years and nine months in prison followed by three years of supervised release, according to U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan.

Bell had falsely accused Georgia Tech’s men’s basketball coach of sexual assault and threatened to release the allegations to the media unless he was paid a large sum of money. The coach denied the allegations, and Bell later admitted that he had fabricated the story.

The case highlights the serious consequences of false accusations and extortion attempts. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of due process and the need to thoroughly investigate all allegations of sexual assault.

In a statement, U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan said, “False accusations of sexual assault not only harm innocent individuals but also undermine the credibility of true survivors who come forward seeking justice. This sentence sends a clear message that those who make false allegations and attempt to extort others will be held accountable for their actions.”