Elgin James gets sentenced to a year in prison for Mest extortion scheme

Almost two years after his arrest, FSU founder, Righteous Jams member and filmmaker Elgin James has been sentenced to a year and a day in prison. The extra day allows him to be released after serving 10 months.

The claimed extortion took place when an undisclosed band was on tour in 2005 and 2006, prosecutors say. The issue stems from an early attack in Boston against Mest and the band was told they could stop further attacks by making a $5,000 "donation" to FSU, according to the court.

Since that arrest, James wrote and directed a critically acclaimed film, Little Birds which earned him a Hollywood screenwriting contract, his supporters in the trial included 60 letters of support including one from Sundance Festival founder Robert Redford and actor Ed Harris.