The Bristol, Virginia Police Department (BVPD) has filed several serious charges, including felony sexual assault, against a man following the reopening of an investigation that initially began the previous year.

According to a statement from the BVPD, the probe, which started in December 2024, was revived due to an unrelated domestic violence case and a separate investigation into Kent Bearden conducted by Detective Chris Cappetta.

This renewed focus resulted in the apprehension of 66-year-old Kent Bearden from Bristol, Virginia.

Authorities reported that Bearden was located on Wednesday morning after a tip-off about his location. He was found at a McDonald’s in Bristol, Tennessee, and was apprehended by officers from the Bristol, Tennessee, Police Department (BTPD).

In Tennessee, Bearden was charged as a fugitive from justice.

Following his arrest, the Bristol, Virginia, commonwealth attorney’s office authorized extradition based on the outstanding warrants. Bearden now faces charges in Virginia, which include one count of felony sexual assault, three counts of assault and battery against a household or family member, and one count of misdemeanor property destruction.

The release said this investigation is a “great example of teamwork” by the BTPD, BVPD, the BVPD Special Victims Unit, and the BVPD Domestic Violence Unit.