BUCKHANNON — An Upshur County man faces an extortion charge after allegedly pretending to be the owner of a business.

Michael Chad Shipman, 35, is charged with one count of attempting to commit extortion, a felony. Shipman was being held at the Tygart Valley Regional Jail on a $5,000 property/surety bond that has since been posted.

According to the criminal complaint filed by Sgt. Tyler A. Gordon with the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office, on March 13, Gordon received a call from the victim, the owner and operator of 3D Arms, a firearms store in Buckhannon.

The victim stated that a male subject had called the business and claimed to be the owner, the complaint states. The male subject said he “wanted his money.” The employee who answered the phone transferred the call to the victim and the male subject stated he was entitled to a portion of the businesses profit. The male subject is reported to have told the victim, “I will get my money one way or the other.”

The victim stated that the male subject “became upset” and hung up the call without any further explanation, the complaint states. The victim then called 911 and provided officers with the phone number the male subject called from. Gordon was allegedly told by the victim that he interpreted the call as an “innuendo” that the male subject was going to come to the store and possibly attempt to use violence to obtain money.

Gordon called the phone number provided by the victim and spoke to a male subject who identified himself as Shipman, the complaint states. Shipman allegedly admitted to calling the store and claiming to be the owner. He reportedly told Gordon, “I was wanting some money.”

The victim stated that he did not know Shipman, nor does Shipman have any ties to the business.