According to Raleigh police, a misdemeanor crime by a woman led to a felony crime by a man. The chain of events began last month when a 23-year-old woman was accused by a department store loss-prevention officer of shoplifting.
Law enforcement officials allege that the 37-year-old store security guard then contacted the woman to offer her a deal: if she would have sex with him, he would not testify against her in the larceny case. He was charged last week with extortion.
The man was arrested again this week on another extortion charge after a woman went to police and said he had tried late last year to extort sex from her as well.
The latest charge against him was filed after an 18-year-old woman said she heard of the initial case in the media. She said she was arrested a few days before Christmas at the Triangle Town Center store and charged with misdemeanor larceny.
She says the security guard contacted her two days later, “by texting the victim repeatedly telling her that she would only be able to avoid prosecution in a pending shoplifting case by having sex with him,” an arrest warrant states.
In the other case, the 23-year-old was apparently arrested last month and then allegedly received text messages demanding sex.
She contacted Raleigh police, who sent officers with her to meet the man. His cell phone was apparently seized by police as part of their investigation.
The women in these cases should discuss the larceny charges against them with an attorney. Convictions could well have adverse effects on future employment and educational opportunities.
The man is clearly in a serious situation, facing two felonies now. He should immediately discuss his legal options with an attorney as well.
Source: NewsObserver.com, “Belk guard charged with trying to extort sex from second shoplifting suspect,” Ron Gallagher, March 6, 2014