NORTH CAROLINA WOMAN PAROLED FROM WESTMORELAND COUNTY JAIL

A North Carolina woman was paroled from Westmoreland County Jail on Wednesday after pleading guilty to charges of extortion and operating an online theft related to an incident last year.  The Trib reports that 29-year-old Sydney Marie Carlson was extradited from North Carolina in late May.  Prosecutors said she led the victim to pay nearly $24,000 over several months, stating she was representing an online fundraiser that sought donations for a heart transplant and later evolved into an online relationship that included payment for sexually explicit pictures and later evolved into extortion.  Carlson was sentenced to up to 23 months in jail and five additional years on probation, but Judge Meghan Billik-Defazio released her after giving credit for time served.  She was also ordered to pay $1000 in restitution by July 3rd, then make $200 monthly payments.