Legal wheels in two states are grinding at once for 39-year-old Joshua Severance, who was indicted Thursday by an Arizona grand jury on an 11-count case tied to a violent kidnapping and sexual assault reported in Cottonwood in May, even as he remains jailed in Rutland, Vermont, on separate child‑exploitation warrants. Investigators say Severance fled Arizona after the May incident and was arrested in Vermont in early June on local charges. Prosecutors in Arizona have started formal extradition steps to bring him back to face the new counts.
Grand jury returns 11 counts
According to FOX 10 Phoenix, a Yavapai County grand jury handed up the 11‑count indictment on July 2. The charging document lists three counts of felony sexual assault, two counts of kidnapping with a dangerous weapon, two counts of attempted sexual assault, several related felonies and a misdemeanor for preventing use of a telephone. Cottonwood police publicly thanked community members who called in tips, saying, “We are grateful for all the information and leads provided by the public,” according to the station.
Where the attack was reported
The reported attack unfolded on May 20 in the parking lot of a Cottonwood business near State Route 89A and 12th Street, local coverage shows. Arizona's Family reported that initial 911 calls described a suspect who abducted a woman at gunpoint, which prompted an armed‑and‑dangerous alert as investigators searched the Verde Valley. Neighbors and motorists told reporters they quickly phoned in potential leads in the hours after the incident.
Arrest in Vermont and what’s next
Severance was taken into custody by Rutland officers on June 4 on local warrants alleging luring a child and distributing child pornography and has been held on $25,000 bond, FOX 10 Phoenix reported. Court listings from the Vermont Judiciary show Severance is scheduled for a Rutland court date on July 20 as Arizona seeks his return. Prosecutors in Arizona say they have launched formal extradition proceedings to move him back to face the indictment.
How extradition typically works
Interstate transfers usually run under the Uniform Criminal Extradition Act and federal statute, and can involve a local hearing and a governor’s surrender order if a defendant does not waive return, legal resources note. For an overview of the mechanics and likely timelines that can follow when one state demands a defendant from another, the National Conference of State Legislatures publishes a guide on extradition. Once Severance is returned to Arizona, prosecutors there will determine when to arraign him and whether to ask a judge to keep him in custody while the case moves toward trial.
Police still seeking tips
Cottonwood detectives are still asking anyone with information related to the May incident to contact the department. The Cottonwood Police Department lists its non‑emergency tip line and records office on its website, and the public contact page shows the investigative switchboard at 928‑634‑4246 for anyone who may have information about the case. Authorities say tips can be shared confidentially while the investigation continues.
