Virginia police veteran arrested on abduction and sexual battery charges

Virginia police veteran arrested on abduction and sexual battery charges

Posted by
1 min read
September 26, 2024

WOODBRIDGE, Va. — A Prince William County police officer was arrested on Thursday following an investigation into allegations of abduction and sexual battery involving an adult woman, authorities said.

James Thomas Clinton, 28, a six-year veteran of the Prince William County Police Department, was taken into custody after being accused of two incidents of inappropriate conduct while on duty, according to a statement from the department. The investigation began on September 23 after the victim came forward.

The first incident allegedly occurred on June 4 at Potomac Mills, where the victim was employed. Investigators say Clinton forcibly handcuffed the woman during an encounter, though she was not being detained for any crime. The second incident took place on September 22 at Turley Park in Dale City, where Clinton is accused of holding the woman against her will during a verbal altercation and making repeated threats. The victim also reported that Clinton inappropriately touched her and grabbed her neck.

Following the allegations, Clinton was relieved of his police authority, and an investigation was launched by the department’s Office of Professional Standards and Criminal Investigations Division. Clinton has been charged with two counts of abduction, one count of sexual battery, and one count of assault and battery.

“This type of behavior is reprehensible and does not represent the values and professionalism of the members of this agency,” said Chief Peter Newsham in a statement. “I commend our Criminal Investigations Division for acting quickly and effectively in bringing charges to ensure that he is held accountable.”

Clinton is being held without bond. A court date has been set for November 13.

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.

Don't Miss

Exit mobile version