** UPDATE 4/8/26 **
The Albemarle County Police Department has obtained 32 additional charges against a 24-year-old man accused of sexually assaulting victims through babysitting services.
Maxwell H. Mandell of Crozet, Va., was indicted on the additional charges by an Albemarle County grand jury on Monday, April 6, 2026. The additional indictments include possession of child pornography (§18.2-374.1:1), manufacturing child pornography (§18.2-374.1), object sexual penetration (§18.2-67.2), and aggravated sexual battery (§18.2-67.3). In total, Mandell now faces 82 felonies related to the investigation.
Prior to his Dec. 5, 2025, arrest, Mandell offered babysitting services and music lessons in and around the Crozet area. ACPD encourages anyone who hired or had contact with Mandell in a professional capacity at any time to contact Crime Stoppers at 434-977-4000. Additional victims may be located outside Albemarle County, including the Blacksburg area, where Mandell previously resided.
Mandell continues to be held without bond at the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail.
** UPDATE 1/14/26 **
The Albemarle County Police Department is continuing its ongoing sexual assault investigation into 24-year-old Maxwell H. Mandell, and investigators have recently obtained evidence to suggest that additional victims are connected to this case.
Prior to his Dec. 5, 2025, arrest, Mandell offered babysitting services and music lessons in and around the Crozet, Va., area. ACPD encourages anyone who hired or had contact with Mandell in a professional capacity at any time, with particular interest in interactions that occurred within the past three years, to contact Crime Stoppers at 434-977-4000.
Additional victims may be located outside Albemarle County, including the Blacksburg area, where Mandell previously resided.
Mandell continues to be held without bond at the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail.
Original Release Issued 1/14/26:
On Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, the Albemarle County Police Department began a sexual assault investigation after receiving a report that a child had allegedly been assaulted the day prior while in the care of a babysitter.
Following that investigation, on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, ACPD arrested and charged 24-year-old Maxwell H. Mandell, of Crozet, Va., with the following:
- Felony aggravated sexual battery (§18.2-67.3)
- Felony indecent liberties with a child (§18.2-370.1)
Mandell is being held without bond at the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail.
Due to Mandell offering babysitting services and music lessons, investigators believe there may be additional victims. Anyone with information relevant to this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Figueroa with the Albemarle County Police Department's Criminal Investigations Division at 434-296-5807.
Media Contact:
Logan Bogert
Public Information Officer
Office: 434-296-5841 ext. 3908
lbogert@albemarle.org
