WALLINGFORD, CT — A Wallingford man is accused of extorting a juvenile by threatening to release nude photos of the victim, according to police.
The Wallingford Police Department was notified by police in Westerly, Rhode Island in May 2025 of a juvenile who was allegedly being extorted by a Wallingford resident through threats involving the release of nude images, according to Capt. Michael Colavolpe.
During the investigation, Colavolpe said it was determined that the juvenile had been communicating with a man identified as “Michael,” who lived in Wallingford.
“Investigators learned that over the course of approximately one year, the communications were consensual and included the exchange of nude photographs,” Colavolpe wrote in a news release.
The suspect was identified as 23-year-old Michael Unger of Wallingford, according to Colavolpe.
“Investigators further determined that during subsequent text message conversations, Unger demanded $100 from the victim and threatened to distribute the victim's nude photographs if payment was not made,” Colavolpe wrote.
Unger was arrested and charged with first-degree larceny by extortion and risk of injury to a child. He was released after posting a $75,000 bond and was scheduled to appear in court on June 18.
The arrest was part of a targeted warrant enforcement operation conducted by the Wallingford Police Department during the week of June 8, according to Colavolpe.
Colavolpe said the initiative focused on locating and apprehending people with active arrest warrants who either live in Wallingford or were wanted for offenses committed within the town.
“The operation was highly successful, resulting in the arrest of 16 individuals,” Colavolpe wrote. “Those taken into custody were wanted on a variety of charges, ranging from property crimes to more serious offenses.”
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