Newton woman faces crimes after making threats over money owed

Oct. 18 — The Newton Police Department charged a 40-year-old Newton woman with extortion, intimidation with a dangerous weapon and three counts of assault while exhibiting a dangerous weapon after she allegedly threatened a victim under the gun threat over a debt, which she and my boyfriend later remarked was funny.

According to police reports, Lisa Dickerson waited in a truck for the victim to leave World To Go with her brother and father on October 12. When the three got into their vehicle, she approached the passenger side door. The victim alleged that Dickerson, while pointing a gun, said she owed money and needed to pay.

When questioned by police, the victim said the gun was silver in color and had a brown handle. The description matched that of the other two victims. Police observed the video footage and corroborated the victim’s account. Although the images were blurry, police were able to tell Dickerson had something in his hands.

Officers located Dickerson at the address where the vehicle she got off in at the gas station was located. When questioned by the police, she denied everything. But when the police asked her if it was a gun, she replied that it was a fake. When pressed further, she said it was a water gun and found it funny.

Dickerson said the water gun was black in color. But she said she abandoned the gun before police arrived. Dickerson said the victim “owed him money” and pointed to her boyfriend. The boyfriend said the victim “owes me $200, and it was funny.” Police have since charged Dickerson with five felonies.

Extortion is a class D felony and is punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $7,500. Intimidation with a dangerous weapon is a class C felony and is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. An aggravated misdemeanor is punishable by imprisonment of up to two years and a fine of up to $8,540.