Man testifies in alleged online course extortion

Everett Sean Williams earned A’s and B’s in psychology, history and biology, all while working part-time as a developmentally disabled man.

The trouble is, it is alleged that he earned those grades for someone else, who he claims was threatening him and also coercing him into giving up all of his paychecks.

A Sutter County Superior Court jury heard testimony from Williams, 23, on Wednesday, and viewed 93 pages of text messages sent between him and defendant Harpreet Kaur, 21.

Kaur is facing charges of extortion, grand theft, theft of a dependent adult and using threats with the intent to extort money from another. She was charged last July.

According to Williams’ testimony, between September 2015 and May 2016, he completed online coursework for Kaur, whom he considered a friend. That work included studying, quizzes, homework, portfolios, and completing finals for her biology, psychology and history classes through Yuba College.

A number of the text messages, read aloud in court, seemed threatening: “You better do them all (expletive) right ... you better not (expletive) screw up,” it was written in one text.

Another seemed to acknowledge money Williams was giving to Kaur:

“Keep taking (the quiz) over and over until you get 100 percent ... Make it quick or the money goes up.”

The text messages also indicated that if Williams didn’t do as instructed, Kaur would get him in trouble or kicked out of

his house.

Williams said if he finished the work faster, he was granted “rewards.”

“When I get done quickly... this is when she gives me free time,” Williams testified.

One text, allegedly from Kaur to Williams, read: “Go ahead and relax and text me at 4:15.”

When asked by Deputy District Attorney Diego Heimlich if he is afraid of Kaur, Williams replied, “Yes.”

Williams’ mother, Sonya Williams-Harris, said her family moved out of the area four months after going to the police, so as to not be reminded of the ordeal.

“It’s a mother’s worst nightmare,” Williams-Harris said outside of court Wednesday. “Every paycheck my son earned went to that young lady.”

Williams-Harris said her son knew Kaur from Yuba City High School, and that she used that friendship to take advantage of him. She said that her son would meet Kaur at various locations throughout town – like the mall, or Home Depot – to hand over money he thought he owed her.

“She knew him, she knew what tactic to use,” Williams-Harris said.

During cross-examination, Kaur’s attorney, Raj Chima, questioned the district attorney’s role in aiding Williams in his testimony. Chima also questioned whether Williams was “afraid” of Kaur before or after going to the police and speaking to Heimlich.

Chima declined comment during a break Wednesday.