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2 arrested in alleged Travolta plot

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Actor John Travolta, who voices the character Bolt in the animated film "Bolt", attends the premiere of the film at the El Capitan Theatre in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles on November 17, 2008. (UPI/Photo/Jim Ruymen) 
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Published: Jan. 23, 2009 at 5:29 PM

OCALA, Fla., Jan. 23 (UPI) -- A Bahamian politician and an ambulance driver have been arrested in connection with an alleged extortion plot against John Travolta's family, police said.

Jett Travolta, the 16-year-old son of the Florida-based movie star and his actress wife Kelly Preston, died reportedly of a seizure Jan. 2, while he and his family were on vacation in the Bahamas.

Travolta's lawyers recently confirmed the Travoltas fell prey to would-be extortionists, but said police were investigating the matter. The attorneys did not divulge the suspects' demands nor did they say what the alleged perpetrators threatened to do if they didn't get what they asked for.

Media reports indicated the demands were somehow linked to Jett's death. One scenario suggested a photo was taken of the teen as he lay dying in the ambulance.

"We have two persons in custody assisting us in this matter," Bahamas Police Commissioner Raymond Gibson told E! News, stating only that a local politician and an ambulance driver are being held for their possible roles in the alleged scheme.

E! News identified the suspects as Sen. Pleasant Bridgewater and ambulance driver Tarino Lightbourne.

Topics: Jett Travolta, John Travolta, Kelly Preston
© 2009 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Any reproduction, republication, redistribution and/or modification of any UPI content is expressly prohibited without UPI's prior written consent.

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