New charges expand case involving alleged assaults tied to childcare services
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – A Crozet man accused of sexually assaulting victims while offering babysitting services is now facing a total of 82 felony charges after a grand jury returned dozens of new indictments this week, significantly expanding an ongoing investigation in Albemarle County.
The Albemarle County Police Department said Maxwell H. Mandell, 24, was indicted Monday on 32 additional charges, bringing the total count tied to the case to 82. The charges stem from allegations connected to Mandell’s work providing babysitting services and music lessons in the Crozet area prior to his arrest in December.
Scope of new charges and investigation
“The Albemarle County Police Department has obtained 32 additional charges against a 24-year-old man accused of sexually assaulting victims through babysitting services,” the department said in an update posted Tuesday. “In total, Mandell now faces 82 felonies related to the investigation.”
According to police, the new indictments include possession of child pornography, manufacturing child pornography, object sexual penetration, and aggravated sexual battery under Virginia law. The charges were issued by an Albemarle County grand jury on Monday.
Mandell was previously arrested on Dec. 5 and has remained in custody since that time.
Police seek additional victims and information
Investigators say Mandell may have had contact with families beyond Albemarle County and are urging anyone who interacted with him professionally to come forward.
“ACPD encourages anyone who hired or had contact with Mandell in a professional capacity at any time to contact Crime Stoppers,” the department said. “Additional victims may be located outside Albemarle County, including the Blacksburg area, where Mandell previously resided.”
Mandell is currently being held without bond at the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail as the case continues to develop.
Albemarle County crime, Crozet Virginia news, child exploitation charges, Virginia grand jury indictments, babysitter criminal case