Robert Mitchell, 39, whose last known address was 2411 W. Flournoy St., was arrested Tuesday evening and charged with attempted extortion in a criminal complaint filed Monday in U. S. District Court and unsealed after his arrest.

In late 2011, a store manager told the FBI of an offer from Mitchell to warn of upcoming inspections in return for cash, a release from the FBI said. The witness manages a convenience store that sells cigarettes and other tobacco products, and knows the owners of several similar stores.

The complaint claims Mitchell identified himself a Cook County Department of Revenue tobacco inspector, and made a deal to accept monthly $600 payments to provide information about inspections at the witness’ store and those owned by associates, the complaint alleges.

It claims Mitchell directed the witness to buy a pre-paid cell phone, and from December 2011 through July 2012, the witness made the monthly payments, using money provided by the FBI, and Mitchell sent a series of texts indicating dates, times and locations of scheduled tobacco inspections.

Mitchell appeared Wednesday morning in U.S. District Court in Chicago and was released on bond pending an Aug. 17 hearing.

If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.