MIAMI BEACH, Fla. -- A former Miami Beach police officer has been arrested by the FBI, accused of taking a man hostage for $100,000.

Richard Anastasi, 47, was taken into custody Thursday and questioned by the FBI. The U.S. Attorney's Office announced Friday that Anastasi and 42-year-old Francisco Arias are charged with taking a hostage for the purpose of obtaining a ransom.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Anastasi and Arias abducted a man several times between March 11 and 15 and threatened to harm him if he did not give them $100,000.

In one incident, investigators said, Arias and Anastasi impersonated police officers and went to the victim's house, where Arias choked the man into unconsciousness twice. Then, Arias and Anastasi put the man into an SUV, showed him a pair of pliers, threatened to pull his teeth out and stunned him with a Taser, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.

The police were notified Tuesday, and law enforcement officers recorded phone calls between the victim, Arias and Anastasi, prosecutors said. Arias and Anastasi were arrested Thursday on their way to a meeting with the victim, who was supposed to give them more money, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Prosecutors said that after their arrests, Anastasi and Arias claimed that Anastasi had been the victim of identity theft and credit card fraud and that they were trying to get some of his money back.

If convicted, Anastasi and Arias could face a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Anastasi was asked to resign from his former department this year after more than 10 years of service, following an internal affairs investigation. His arrest Thursday does not appear to be related to the incident that led to his resignation.