24-Year-Old Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania Man Remains Jailed Pending Extradition In Sextortion Scheme
Friday, August 9, 2024, 6:40 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
MAHWAH, NJ.- Following a months-long investigation into an alleged sextortion scheme, on Wednesday, August 7, 2024, a 24-year-old Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania, man was taken into custody and jailed pending extradition following being charged by Bergen County authorities with a second-degree extortion offense.
According to Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella, in April 2024, members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Cyber Crimes Unit were notified by the Mahwah Police Department regarding an alleged pattern of text and online messages that involved an unknown user who was utilizing multiple online accounts and phone numbers to extort a victim for nude photos, which began on the social media application Snapchat.
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During a months-long and extensive investigation by the Bergen County Cyber Crimes Unit, Detectives were able to trace the phone numbers and online accounts used to contact the victim, which belonged to Jourden Battle, 24, who resides in Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania.
After learning of Battle’s identity, on Monday, August 5, 2024, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office formally charged Battle with second-degree Theft by Extortion and issued a warrant for his arrest.
On Wednesday, August 7, 2024, Detectives from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office traveled to Tobyhannah, Pennsylvania, and executed a court-authorized search warrant on Battle’s residence with the assistance from the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office and the Pocono, Pennsylvania Regional Police Department.
During the execution of the search warrant, Battle was taken into custody on the Bergen County, New Jersey charge and remanded to the Monroe County Jail pending an extradition hearing. At that time, he will be transported to Bergen County and lodged in the Bergen County Jail pending future court proceedings in Superior Court.
“The rules of the court require us to include a statement that states: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.”
