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New York Yankees slugger Gary Sheffield and his wife were the targets of a blackmailer who claimed to have embarrassing sexual videotapes of her and a musician, Sheffield's business agent said Tuesday.

The agent, Rufus Williams, read a statement from Sheffield in which the outfielder said his wife, DeLeon, had had a long-term relationship with a professional musician over a decade ago, before the couple married, and that he had already known about it.

"I have not seen the alleged videotape, nor do I care to," Sheffield said in the statement. "I love my wife and I vow again to stand by her through any trial or tribulation."

Sheffield said he hoped "the FBI and the federal authorities will prosecute this man to the full extent of the law."

"We will not be blackmailed," he said in the statement.

Derrick Mosley, 38, a Chicago man who describes himself as a minister and has fashioned himself as a community activist, was charged Monday with operating a scheme to defraud for allegedly attempting to extort money from the athlete.

Mosley was in custody Tuesday pending a Thursday bond hearing. His attorney, Luis Galvan, had no immediate comment after his arrest.

Williams said Tuesday he had been contacted earlier this month by Mosley about a videotape purported to show Sheffield's wife. He said he called the FBI immediately.

Neither Williams nor the FBI affidavit accompanying charges against Mosley identified the musician.

Sheffield said in his statement that he was out of the country, would not be available for comment and would never discuss it publicly