Surprise! American Citizen Charged With Extortion Scandal in Singapore
Mikhy Farrera‑Brochez, the U.S. man at the center of Singapore’s HIV registry leak, found himself in hot water on Feb 27.
U.S. prosecutors accused him of threatening to “extort” the Singapore government after a series of grim emails and a tabloid‑style demand that Singapore release his husband or they would make the national HIV database public.
What’s the Buzz?
- Brochez faces a fresh charge over the alleged threat to damage Singapore officials’ reputations.
- Already under indictment for illegally holding and sharing stolen ID documents.
- Case referred to a U.S. grand jury by Judge Matthew A. Stinnett—they’ll decide whether an indictment gets issued.
The Evidence
FBI Special Agent Chelsea Holliday presented an affidavit stating a probable cause that Brochez sent a threat email on Jan 22, begging Singapore to investigate alleged crimes against him.
The email also linked to a Google Drive containing a registry of HIV‑positive individuals—a ticking time bomb, if you ask.
Picture this: a frantic phone call (Feb 19) where Brochez told the agent that if the Singapore government releases his husband, Siang, he’ll hand over the database; if not, he’ll flood the public.
Siang himself is already charged under Singapore’s Official Secrets Act.
Potential Penalties
| Possible Outcome | |
| Extortion threat | Up to 2 years’ jail and a $250,000 fine (≈S$340,000) |
| Unlawful possession of IDs (and possible breach of US Code) | Up to 15 years’ jail, a $250,000 fine, or both if items were worth $1,000+ |
In Court, He’s Still a Bit of a Mystery
Wearing a yellow prison jumpsuit, Brochez answered questions in Spanish, only to ask if mental health issues were preventing him from understanding the proceedings.
He admitted to suffering from post‑traumatic stress disorder, claiming torture by Singapore officials.
Legal Team’s Take
Lawyer Jay Oakley told reporters that extradition to Singapore looks unlikely because he’s an American citizen, yet the matter hasn’t been formally discussed.
He emphasized: “He isn’t thrilled about facing federal prosecution—prepare the defense, handle the charges, and that’s the game plan.”
Next Steps
- Grand jury to meet within weeks to decide on an indictment.
- If indicted, Brochez will appear for arraignment.
- He remains in custody and is barred from sharing confidential info from Singapore.
- Separate case on Mar 4 for alleged trespassing on his mother’s property.
Final Word
So there you have it: a tangled web of international law, a pressed database, and a man who’s about to get his paperwork in order.
If you’re still holding onto humanitarian supply lists, now’s the perfect time to check your own banking and identity documents.
And maybe double‑check your own government’s database—just in case.
