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South Carolina police officer charged with sexual extortion, state investigators say

SLED says he reportedly threatened to share intimate photos of a woman.

CHERAW, S.C. — A former police officer in Cheraw, South Carolina is accused of threatening to share a woman's intimate photos.

The State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) announced the arrest of 40-year-old Justin Brian McKenzie on Thursday. He's charged with felony sexual extortion and misconduct in office. He's now in custody at the Chesterfield County Detention Center.

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Arrest warrants from SLED allege McKenzie threatened via text message to share the woman's photos online. He did so while reportedly concealing his identity. The victim thus felt compelled to reportedly provide McKenzie with more sexually explicit photos and videos. 

SLED notes Julius Riley, chief of the Cheraw Police Department, requested the state agency to investigate. The 4th Circuit Solicitor's Office will handle the prosecution of the case.

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Cheraw is located in the northeast part of South Carolina, roughly 74 miles southeast of Charlotte, North Carolina, and about  90 miles northeast of the state capital of Columbia.

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WCNC will only air or post a mugshot if the person has been formally charged with a crime and in a few other cases. The exceptions include: If it appears the person could be a danger to themselves or others or if they are wanted by authorities; to differentiate between people with a common name; if the photos could encourage more victims to come forward. The news-editorial leadership may also decide to use a mugshot based on the severity of the crime(s) committed and/or the level of public interest in the crime and ensuing criminal proceedings. 

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