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. PETA activist creates her own circus on Everett street corner 2. Stranded teen hikers rescued from peak east of Granite Falls 3. Boeing makes final offer to Machinists 4. Edmonds man admits to Silvertips raffle theft 5. Twice as many local schools make federal watch list 6. Home movie: Snohomish native has leading role in an indie film on location in his hometown 7. Boeing sweetens offer to Machinists, retiree medical benefits safe 8. Mile-long pipes will take a boat trip 9. Former jail guard sent to jail for assault 10. Business briefly: Machinists rally in Everett over talks 2 - Top 10 Stories Most Talked about 3 - Top 10 Stories Most Emailed

• Keeping an eye on the road • Fall into the performing arts • PCC introduces earth friendly features at Edmonds store • Local theatre ready for its close up • Cedar Valley faces sanctions over WASL scores • Breathing room • Shoreline WASL scores show less improvement since 2006 • Mill Creek man robs Rite Aid pharmacy, demands cash and drugs • Are red-light cameras coming to Edmonds? • Mary Burns, Owner - The BookWorks • (No heading) • August 1998: Leisure trips include sailing on the Cutty Sark; relaxing a ... • Haggen Pharmacy robot fills prescriptions — safely • $45 million expansion underway for Arlington’s Cascade Valley Hospital, ... • Alternative health care options proving worth, moving from fringe to mai ... • Boeing new 777 freighter makes its first test flight from Paine Field • New Wine Styles shop in Marysville offers wine tasting, lunches and a vi ...