According to the Mathews County Sheriff’s Office, Billy Hooper of Williams Wharf Road in Mathews has been found in La Plata, Maryland by the Charles County Sheriff’s Office and has been charged with being a fugitive from justice. He will be extradited to Virginia in the near future.

Hooper is facing several felony charges in Mathews, including human trafficking, forcible sodomy, solicitation of prostitution of a minor under 16 years of age, two counts of manufacture child pornography, and two counts of use of communications systems to facilitate offenses involving children.

The sheriff’s office has been investigating an offense that allegedly occurred between April 1 and June 1 in which a female juvenile employed by Hooper was alone on a yacht owned by Hooper and registered to the “Williams Wharf Oyster Company, LLC,” said the release. Hooper allegedly propositioned the juvenile, asking to take pornographic photographs of her in exchange for money. The ensuing investigation uncovered evidence of graphic material involving Hooper and the victim, said the release. Other graphic material involving unidentified victims was also recovered.

On Nov. 21, the sheriff’s office executed search warrants at Hooper’s residence/business, Williams Wharf Oyster Company LLC., located on Williams Wharf Road in Mathews. A search was also executed on a 59-foot yacht owned by Hooper and registered to “Williams Wharf Oyster Company, LLC.”

In a Facebook post, the sheriff's office thanked the public for the many calls, messages and social media reports that helped lead to Hooper’s arrest.