PENSACOLA, Fla. -- A Fort Walton Beach man pled guilty Monday to a charge of wire fraud in connection to an alleged attempt to extort $25 million from Congressman Matt Gaetz in exchange for a false promise of a Presidential Pardon.

Stephen Alford, 62, admitted to engaging in a scheme, from March 16 to April 7, that involved a series of meetings and text message exchanges from Alford to a member of Gaetz's family, who went by the alias "D.G."

Channel 3 has provided a text message from Alford to "D.G." in part:

Mr. [DG},

I would like to talk with you immediately about the current federal investigation, and the indictment that is about to be filed against [a named family member of DG] (hereinafter referred to as "DG's family member").

I have a plan that can make his future legal and political problems go away.

Alford then allegedly sent "D.G." a letter entitled "Project Homecoming."

The letter contained information about mitigating legal troubles involving the investigation that Matt Gaetz allegedly paid a minor for sex.

Channel 3 has provided statements from the letter in part:

In exchange for the funds being arranged, and upon release of Robert Levinson, [DG's family member] shall be given credit for facilitating the release of Mr. Levinson. [DG's family member] shall also be the person to "reunite" Mr. Levinson with his family and bring Mr. Levinson back to the United States.

The team that delivers Mr. Levinson to the President of the United States shall strongly advocate that President Biden issue a Presidential Pardon, or instruct the Department of Justice to terminate any and all investigations involving [DG's family member]. The team has been assured by the President that he will strongly consider such matters because he considers the release of Robert Levinson a matter of National Urgency.

Robert Levinson's release has been privately negotiated by certain United States and Mexican individuals and the costs associated with facilitating Robert Levinson's release is $25,000,000. A six-month, $25,000,000 loan is sought to immediately fund the release of Robert Levinson. The loan shall be repaid from the $25,000,000 Reward offered by the United States Government for the release of Robert Levinson.

Alford would repeatedly contact a member of Gaetz's family and promise them that he had access to the current President of the United States, according to a release.

Alford's sentencing is currently set for Feb. 16, 2022, at 9 a.m., at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola before the Honorable United States District Judge M. Casey Rodgers.

Alford faces up to 20 years imprisonment to be followed by a term of supervised release.