HACKENSACK, NJ—Jourden Battle, a 24-year-old resident of Tobyhanna, PA, has been charged with second-degree theft by extortion, following a comprehensive investigation by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office. The arrest on Monday stemmed from accusations that Battle extorted nude photos from a victim through Snapchat and other online platforms.
The investigation, initiated in April by the Prosecutor’s Office Cyber Crimes Unit after receiving information from the Mahwah Police Department, identified Battle as the source of threatening communications aimed at obtaining illicit images. Detectives traced the phone numbers and online accounts used in the extortion to Battle, leading to his arrest.
On Wednesday, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Battle’s residence in Pennsylvania, in cooperation with the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office – Division of Criminal Investigations and the Pocono County Regional Police Department.
Battle is currently held in Monroe County Jail, pending extradition to New Jersey.
Prosecutor Mark Musella emphasized that the charges are mere accusations and that Battle is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Musella also extended his gratitude to the Mahwah Police Department and the Pennsylvania authorities for their collaboration.
