North Carolina police officer indicted on sextortion charges, facing new charges for slashing tires, records say

CHARLOTTE, N.C. ( QUEEN CITY NEWS ) — A Charlottle-Mecklenburg police officer was indicted Tuesday on extortion and disclosure of private images while facing new charges, records said.

Joel Medina, 30, was arrested on August 5 on felony extortion and disclosure of private images charges. Based on the arrest warrant and reports filed, a 22-year-old man claimed that Medina tried to extort $10,000 from him by threatening to send sexually explicit videos and photos of the victim to his friends and family.

He was supposed to appear in court on August 6 but did not attend. Medina was given a written promise and a new court date was set for August 27.

Additionally, an arrest warrant was issued on August 19 for two counts of injury to personal property.

According to the affidavit, it was reported that Medina was caught on camera slashing two tires on another CMPD officer’s personal vehicle and slashing one tire on a CMPD patrol car. Medina admitted to damaging the tires on both vehicles and offered to pay for the damages to the officer’s personal vehicle to avoid the police department getting involved.

A $1,000 unsecured bond was issued.

Medina is due in court on injury to personal property charges on September 24.

CMPD Chief Jennings released a statement following Medina’s initial arrest saying:

“I am disheartened by the recent arrest of Officer Medina. An officer’s arrest is not just a personal failure but a breach of public trust. The trust of our community is paramount, and we will not tolerate any conduct that undermines that trust. I’m proud of the diligent and thorough work by our detectives who investigated this case. Our badge gives us the authority to enforce the law, not immunity from the law. This arrest is a necessary step to ensure accountability and uphold the integrity of our department.”

Medina’s next hearing on the sextortion charges is scheduled for November 13.

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