Kevin Hart in shock after investigation reveals that a close friend was behind the sex tape extortion scandal

The identity of the man who allegedly tried to coerce comedian Kevin Hart into paying him an undisclosed amount of cash to prevent the exposure of a sex video, has been revealed. Read TMZ's report below. 

We've learned Jonathan Todd Jackson - who goes by J.T. - was an actor and close friend of Kevin's for more than 15 years.

Jackson was in "S.W.A.T.,"  "Naked" and even in Kevin's movie "Think Like a Man Too." The two have posted several photos together through the years and J.T. even attended Kevin's bachelor party.

He is accused of trying to extort an undisclosed amount of money from Hart, in return for keeping the video secret ... a video showing Hart with a woman in his hotel room in Vegas apparently having sex.

Jackson faces 2 felony counts - attempted extortion and extortion by threatening letter.

Reacting to the shocking reveal, Kevin tweeted, "Mind blown .. Hurt ... at a loss for words and simply in complete disbelief at the moment. WOW.