Local News

<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com   Published: Wednesday, July 23, 2008 Man blackmailed ex-girlfriend with nude pictures, police say Police say the man told his ex-girlfriend he'd put sexy photos of her online if she didn't pay him rent. By Jackson Holtz Herald Writer LYNNWOOD -- A Lynnwood man threatened to expose his ex-girlfriend on the Internet unless she paid her share of the rent, even though he'd kicked her out. Pay up, the man said, or he'd post photos of the woman wearing her lingerie -- and less. On Monday, Lynnwood police arrested the man on suspicion of second-degree extortion. "You can't threaten somebody like that. It's against the law," said Shannon Sessions, a Lynnwood police spokeswoman. The man, 20, wanted the ex- girlfriend to pay her portion, or $2,200, of the outstanding rent due on the apartment they had shared, according to documents filed Tuesday in Everett District Court. Police listened to a voice mail message the man allegedly left his girlfriend Sunday saying he would post the photos on the Internet if she didn't pay. He repeatedly threatened to mess with the woman's life, the documents said. The woman told police the threats made her "terrified and scared" and she began to cry, the documents said. She told police she "would be horrified if people saw those photos." The couple broke up July 5. For the past year, the woman, 19, had been sharing the apartment in the 18400 block of 36th Avenue W., the documents said. She asked the boyfriend to sign an agreement releasing her from the money owed on the remaining four months of their lease. He allegedly refused and ordered her to move out but still pay her share of the rent, or else. About a year ago, the woman agreed to let her boyfriend photograph her nude or scantly clad. The photos apparently were stored on his computer. Police are investigating if the photos exist, Sessions said. "We've come across these types of threats before," although rarely because they aren't often reported to authorities, Sessions said. The man was jailed Monday. A judge Tuesday ordered him released on his own recognizance. Snohomish County prosecutors will determine if charges should be filed. Reporter Jackson Holtz: 425-339-3437 or jholtz@heraldnet.com

1. Machinists itching to strike 2. Reardon seeks to cut 95 county positions 3. Acrobat injured during circus' opening night in Everett 4. An upside to Husky losses 5. Solitary foe disrupts Index gun range shooting test 6. Boeing Machinists to go on strike at midnight 7. Photos released of Lynnwood smash-and-grab suspects 8. Swindler's sentencing delayed 9. Man caught after 3-hour search around Lake Stevens 10. Silvertips' American boys 2 - Top 10 Stories Most Talked about 3 - Top 10 Stories Most Emailed

• Monroe slams shaky Shorewood in opener • Ferry lane grows one-mile longer • Bringing the world to Edmonds • FEMA turns to media to improve public image • Annexation's frustrations • A run for Charlotte • Annexation's frustrations • Minimalist food bars have local flavor • E-W aims for fifth straight league title • Leisure Time Events - September 2008 • September 2008 • State needs to establish north county campus to meet growing technology ... • Future software programs may be based online • Visit two unusual Paine Field aviation museums for historic and futurist ... • Mothers launch Kids ‘N’ Clay pottery studio to provide children with cre ... • AWB elections Web site debuts • Construction begins on Korry Electronics’ plant