After an approximately three month investigation, Detectives obtained charges for one count of felony Solicitation of Sexual Acts with a Minor by Electronic Means and two counts of misdemeanor Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor via Sexual Acts, naming Pediatric Hospitalist Deepak Patel as the offender. 

On December 12^th, 2023, at approximately 4:00 AM, Culpeper Police Department officers received a request to attempt to locate a teenage juvenile. Guardians of the juvenile provided information that led officers to a hotel in the 800 Blk of Willis Ln. Officers responded to the hotel and reviewed video that showed the juvenile left the hotel with an unidentified male in a vehicle. The juvenile was later located by the Culpeper County Sheriff’s Office at his residence in Culpeper County.

Detectives later identified the unidentified male as Deepak Patel, a 56 year old male of Chester, VA. It was learned that Patel began conversing with the juvenile on Grindr, an online dating app, and WhatsApp, an instant messaging service. He discussed and proposed performing sexual acts with the juvenile. On two separate occasions, Patel made arrangements to take the juvenile to hotels where he provided marijuana, smoking devices, and engaged in sexual acts.

As a result of this investigation, the Culpeper Police Department Criminal Investigations Division has charged Deepak Patel with one count of felony Solicitation of Sexual Acts with a Minor by Electronic Means and two counts of misdemeanor Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor via Sexual Acts. Patel was employed as a pediatric hospitalist and was assigned to UVA Health at the Culpeper Medical Center. UVA Health discontinued his services at the time allegations were brought forward.

Patel was arrested on March 11^th, 2024 by Culpeper Police Department officers and is currently held without bond at the Culpeper County Jail.

“This offender would not be brought to justice without the courage of the victim and their family.” Said Culpeper Police Department Chief Chris Settle. “Because of their courage, we were able to take the offender into custody. We hope that he will never be a threat to any child ever again. We must continue to have zero tolerance to those who prey on our children, along with the weak, and the vulnerable. All parents should play an active role with their children’s devices, specifically what apps they utilize and who they are communicating with.”

Based on allegations made during the investigation, it is possible that additional victims exist. Anyone who would like to file a report is encouraged to do so by calling the Culpeper E911 Center at 540-727-7900 or emailing tips@culpeperva.gov. Are you looking for tips on how to make sure your children are safe online? Visit https://www.missingkids.org/netsmartz/home for tips and resources. 

This is an active and on-going investigation. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Detective R. Brooking at (540) 829-5504 or email tips@culpeperva.gov. Callers who wish to remain anonymous can submit tips by calling Culpeper Crime Solvers at 540-727-0300 or submitting an online tip at culpeperpd.org.

Attached photo: Deepak Dahyabhai Patel, 56, of Chester, VA

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Contact: Master Police Officer Matthew Hays

Phone: 540-829-5508

March 14^th, 2024

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