Santee

A Santee man who faked his own kidnaping in an unsuccessful attempt to collect ransom money from his own family was ordered Monday to perform 100 hours of community service.

Randy Lee Harwick, 38, also was placed on three years’ probation by U.S. District Judge John Rhoades, who did not impose any jail time.

Rhoades ordered Harwick, who recently retired from the Navy, to continue a psychiatric program.

Harwick pleaded guilty Oct. 19 to making a false statement to the FBI, which investigated after Harwick’s wife, Cleofe Harwick, received ransom letters. Harwick disappeared April 21, and his wife received a ransom note demanding $50,000, Assistant U.S. Atty. Carol Lam said.

Six more notes were delivered to the house over the next two weeks, but the ransom demand dropped to $10,000 after his wife responded in a newspaper that she could not raise the money, Lam said.

Harwick’s parents in Florida also received a ransom note.

On May 4, 1987, Cleofe Harwick left a dummy ransom package that was prepared by the FBI. When Randy Harwick attempted to retrieve the package from Santee Lakes Park, FBI agents arrested him.

Harwick could have been sentenced to five years in federal prison and fined $250,000.

The judge said he was “mystified” as to why Harwick embarked on the scheme.