42-year-old man arrested in connection to Albemarle sexual extortion case
VENN
ALBEMARLE COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- The Albemarle County Police Department has made an arrest in connection to a sexual extortion investigation that began earlier this year.
On Feb. 28, Albemarle County police began a sexual extortion investigation after a reported assault by a victim.
According to police, the victim reported that, following a consensual sexual encounter with the suspect, they were extorted and the suspect threatened to release a video that was unknowingly taken and without the victim's consent.
After an investigation, Albemarle County police obtained warrants on April 9 for 42-year-old Joshua W. Fitzpatrick, of Charlottesville.
According to police, Fitzpatrick was charged with the following:
- Felony sexual extortion
- Unlawful creation of an image of another
In addition, investigators discovered that Fitzpatrick had moved to Ohio shortly after the investigation had started. With the help of law enforcement in Ohio, he was arrested on Tuesday, April 22.
Fitzpatrick is currently being held in Ohio and waiting to be extradited to Virginia.
Detectives believe that there may be other victims, and Albemarle County police encourage anyone who may have had an interaction with Fitzpatrick to contact them at 434-296-5807.
