CMPD officer accused of threatening to release private, intimate pictures

CHARLOTTE — A Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officer is accused of threatening to release private, intimate pictures of someone.

Officer Joel Medina was arrested Monday and charged with one count of felony extortion and one count of felony disclosure of private images.

Detectives interviewed Medina on Monday before arresting him and taking him to jail.

According to a warrant, in February, a 22-year-old man said Medina “sent him a message over a social media platform” telling the victim to “send him $10,000 or he would send sexually explicit photos/videos of the victim... To his friends and family.”

Police say the victim didn’t comply. Then in March, according to the warrant, Medina “sent sexually explicit video of the victim, along with another subject, performing sexual acts... To a friend of the victim.”

The incident occurred outside of work and did not involve the functions of his job, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said.

Medina is on unpaid administrative leave pending the outcome of a parallel internal investigation. He was scheduled for a court appearance on Tuesday but didn’t show up for the hearing. Instead, he was appointed a public defender.

‘It’s unfathomable’

“I find it disgusting,” said South Carolina Rep. Brandon Guffey.

Guffey represents York County. His 17-year-old son, Gavin, died by suicide in 2022 after being a victim of sexual extortion. He can’t believe the allegations against Medina, especially knowing his oath to protect and serve.

“To have someone who the public is supposed to have trust in to be, you know, extorting a citizen, it’s unfathomable to me,” he said.

Guffey, who always keeps his son’s memory in the forefront, just wants people to understand the cost of sextortion and to protect whoever they can.

“Whenever you send these images, there are tons of people who are just trying to scam you so they can threaten to ruin your life by sharing these images,” he said.

“I am disheartened by the recent arrest of Officer Medina,” said CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings in a news release. “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 was hired on Feb. 28, 2022, and is assigned to the Eastway Division.

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