18-year-old Petersburg man accused of sexually abusing vulnerable person
VENN
PETERSBURG, Va. (WRIC) -- An 18-year-old Petersburg man is accused of sexually abusing someone police described as "mentally incapacitated."
On Tuesday, Oct. 7, the Petersburg Bureau of Police announced that it had arrested 18-year-old Tyekel Pettaway in connection with a case of "aggravated sexual battery involving a mentally incapacitated individual." Online court records list an offense date of Sept. 27.
No additional information, including further details on the victim or the nature of this alleged abuse, was shared by police.
Under Virginia law, sexual abuse can be prosecuted as aggravated sexual battery if it meets one of several possible conditions -- including that the sexual abuse is "accomplished through the use of the complaining witness's mental incapacity or physical helplessness."
Pettaway is being held without bond pending his next court appearance, which is set for Jan. 22, 2026.
This is a developing story, stay with 8News for updates.
