Man accused of extorting woman for sex or money

PINAL COUNTY, Ariz. (KSAZ) -- Officials with the Pinal County Sheriff's Office announced the arrest of a 36-year-old Mesa man for alleged sexual extortion.

According to a statement, Michael Aaron Pomeroy was arrested on November 8, in connection with an investigation that began in October. The investigation began after a woman called to report that she was being blackmailed by someone she met online eight years ago.

The alleged victim, according to PCSO officials, was 19 years old at the time, and said she met Pomeroy via an online dating website, where Pomeroy may have had an account set up under the name "Matt Rogers." The two went out on a date, and the alleged victim went back to the suspect's home.

The next day, PCSO officials said the alleged victim met with the suspect, and the suspect told her that she signed a consent form to make a sex tape, and audition for the suspect's porn company. The alleged victim reportedly did not remember doing anything with the suspect, or sign any consent form. In fact, the alleged victim did not even recognize the signature the suspect showed her. The alleged victim then got into an argument with the suspect, and asked the suspect to not post the video. Pomeroy then responded by saying she would have to continue to have sex with him to keep the video from being posted online. The alleged victim had no contact with the suspect after that.

On October 29, 2018, PCSO officials said Pomeroy called the alleged victim, identifying himself as "Mike Rogers" and said he was going through some of her "old footage" and wanted to be paid for keeping it off the web. In a recorded conversion, Pomeroy reportedly told the alleged victim he would agree to release the video to her, if she would have sex with him three times.

Sheriff Mark Lamb with PCSO said the alleged victim used an app to record the demands, and called the Sheriff's Office immediately.

"If Michael Pomeroy was willing to extort this woman for sex or money, we are afraid there are more victims out there, and we ask them to come forward," said Sheriff Lamb, in the statement.

Anyone with information related to the case, or believe they may have been victimized by the suspect should call PCSO at (520) 866-5111.