Men Fake Kidnapping to Get Money for Drugs

John Reynolds (left) and William Holland

What would you do if you were told that your brother was kidnapped by drug dealers, and your only hope to see him alive was to pay a ransom? That’s what William David Holland’s sister experienced when her brother texted her about his alleged kidnapping.

Unfortunately, William David Holland, 45, St. Andrews in Bear, and his “kidnapper” John Reynolds, 42,Wilmington, created this ploy to “shake down” Holland’s sister for cash to buy crack cocaine.

On Wednesday, June 3, Holland’s sister received text messages from Holland stating that he was being held against his will by a drug dealer and they were seeking a cash ransom.

His sister agreed to meet the alleged drug dealer/kidnapper on Friday, June 5 at the Wilmington Train Station, where she paid an unknown male $200 in cash.

Holland was not released.

The following day, she received another text message stating that if she wanted to see her brother alive, she needed to go to the BP Gas Station on Martin Luther King Boulevard in Wilmington and pay another $200.

Fearing her brother was already killed, Holland’s sister called the New Castle County police.

Working with detectives, she was able to negotiate a settlement of another $50, which she was told to bring to the same gas station.

Detectives were able to trace the cell phone to John Reynolds. Using photographs as reference, the kidnapper at the gas station was also identified by undercover officers as John Reynolds.

With a search warrant issued, New Castle County detectives and officers from the City of Wilmington searched Reynolds’ home, where they found Holland and Reynolds unharmed in the basement.

Another person staying at the residence claimed that Holland was there on his own will and was in no danger.

They have both been charged with one count of extortion, two counts of theft, and three counts of conspiracy. Reynolds and Holland have been arraigned and released on $4,500 unsecured bail.