Former meteorologist from WSAZ Channel 3 arrested on sexual extortion charges

By Roberta Cantrell
BSN Editor

A former news meteorologist from WSAZ Channel 3 in Huntington, WV and more recently Channel 29 News WVIR Charlottesville, VA, was arrested on a fugitive warrant in Gallipolis, Ohio, on April 22, as police in Virginia said he is facing sexual extortion charges.

According to a press release from the Albemarle County Police Department, Joshua Fitzpatrick, 42, is being charged with felony sexual extortion and unlawful creation of image of another. The charges come after police said a victim reported that Fitzpatrick allegedly extorted them.

“The victim reported that after a consensual sexual encounter, they were extorted and threatened with the release of a video taken unknowingly and without their consent,” police said.

After the victim’s report, Albemarle police began an investigation and found that Fitzpatrick had moved to Ohio, police said.

According to his former employer, 29 News, Fitzpatrick left his position as a meteorologist in early March of 2025.

The investigation has led detectives to believe that there may be additional victims. ACPD would like to encourage anyone who may have had an encounter with Fitzpatrick to contact Detective M. Schneider with the Albemarle County Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division at 434-296-5807.