PICKENS — Police charged a Salem woman with extortion and conspiracy, and two Pickens men face conspiracy charges after police say they tried to extort money, or the title to a pickup truck, from a local businessman.

According to a press release from the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office, three people threatened to file a police report alleging criminal sexual conduct against the businessman unless he gave one of them $15,700 or the title to a 2005 Dodge pickup truck.

The three were charged after police say they received payment from the victim during an undercover operation conducted by the Sheriff’s Office.

Stephanie Anita Ray Branton, 25, of 215 Stamp Creek Road, Salem, was arrested Dec. 24 and charged with extortion. She was released on a $5,000 bond.

Branton was arrested again on Jan. 8 and charged with conspiracy in connection with the incident. She was then released on a $10,000 bond, according to police.

Deputies arrested Kevin Christian Nations, 37, of 230 Rolling Green Road, Pickens, on Jan. 8, charging him with conspiracy, a warrant states. He was released on a $10,000 bond.

Police say a third person, Michael Jerry Williams, 50, of 107 Morris Lane, Pickens, was also arrested and charged with conspiracy in connection with the case on Jan. 7.

The same day, Williams was also charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor, second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor, third-degree sexual conduct with a minor and two counts of lewd act with a minor.

According to police, those charges stem from an investigation following reports from a juvenile victim that she was sexually assaulted at different times between 1994 and 2001.

Williams paid a total in $10,000 in bond before being released the same day of his arrest.