Prosecutors claim that the man threatened to sell photographs of reality TV star and extorted her. He also pointed a gun at her.
Officials said that a man from Los Angeles is being accused of extorting Elizabeth Vargas, former star of “Real Housewives of Orange County”, and then pointing a gun at Vargas in an incident on Tuesday.
Ryan Matthew Geraghty (33), is facing six felony charges, including extortion and assault with force. The Orange County District Attorney’s Office announced Thursday.
Geraghty called the victim Tuesday and accused her of stealing her car. He then went to her house and pointed a gun at the victim, threatening to kill her if she refused to give him more money.
Newport Beach responded to the woman’s request after hearing a struggle over the telephone.
Newport Beach police spokesperson stated that officers found an armed male suspect inside the building.
Officials said Geraghty was taken into custody at Vargas’ Newport Beach residence Tuesday night.
Although the victim was not named by the prosecution and court documents, she was described as a reality TV star by her attorneys.
Weintraub didn’t immediately respond to NBC News’s request for comment on Thursday. NBC News was informed by a law enforcement source that Vargas was the victim.
Prosecutors claim Geraghty had been extorting the victim tens to thousands of dollars starting on Christmas Eve.
Geraghty had threatened to sell nude photos from the victim to the media after the couple were in a romantic relationship, according to the district attorney’s office.
According to the DA’s office, Geraghty punched the woman in the face after she said that she wouldn’t give him more money.
Geraghty was forced to purchase the victim a BMW. On Jan. 31, he allegedly shot a gun at a ceiling during an argument.
According to online jail records, Geraghty was held without bond at Theo Lacy Facility on Thursday afternoon.
The public defender listed as representing him didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday evening.
According to a criminal complaint, Geraghty was twice convicted in Los Angeles residential burglary cases. The district attorney’s office stated that Geraghty could be eligible for a life sentence under California’s three strikes law, if convicted.
Vargas was a guest on Bravo’s 15th Season of “Real Housewives of Orange County.” NBCUniversal, the parent company of Bravo and NBC News, is Vargas’ appearance.
