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Hav U hurd bout 'sexting'? Two cases caught at schools here and teens could face sex offender status under tough new state law
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| Sexting could lead to a felony charge. |
By Jason Deal - Staff Writer
jdeal@theblacksheartimes.com
“OMG, have u heard the new penalty 4 sexting?”
Pierce County teens may be getting such a text message on their cell phones soon. That’s because a strict new state law took effect in recent weeks that can make “sexting” an offense equal to felony child molestation.
Sexting is the sending or receiving of pornographic pictures and/or text using cell phones.
Think it doesn’t happen here?
Think again.
Administrators at Pierce County High investigated two cases of sexting last year. Police say those two cases are probably only the tip of the iceberg. They know such behavior is happening but there’s no way for police to monitor what teens do with their cell phone. That’s the job of parents.
Parents, however, are often naive, or unwilling to believe their child could do such a thing.
They may be wrong.
“My boyfriend promised...”
Those were the first words out of the mouth of a pretty 14 year old PCHS freshman who told police she “gave in” and allowed her 15 year old boyfriend to take cell phone photographs of her pubic area.
The boyfriend didn’t keep his word.
Within days, lewd images of the petite brunette had been sent to dozens of other teens across the school and beyond.
“It’s sad, but young kids are naive,” says Blackshear Police Detective Chris Wright. “Young girls want to trust their boyfriends, but...”
Even though cell phones are banned from the school campus, school principal Anthony Smith says the devices are routinely taken from students for disrupting classes. From those confiscated phones, indications are sexting ” while not a major problem ” is definitely occurring among local youths.
Not all of the girls involved in sexting are being sweet-talked by their boyfriends, however. Another student, this one a 13 year old girl at the middle school, reportedly had a “crush” on a a 17 year old junior boy at the high school. Hoping to “impress” the older boy, the girl took cell phone pictures of her pubic area and sent them to the boy. Again, those images were quickly circulated at lightning speed around the school and beyond.
Chances are good both of those images are posted somewhere now on the Internet for all the world to see. Once the images leave your possession, there’s no stopping where ” or in whose hands ” they can end up.
Both of those cases were turned over to the Blackshear Police Department.
Wright says officers don’t think either case occurred on campus or at school events. One case was handled in juvenile court, while the other has been turned over to the district attorney’s office for review.
“We are seeking guidance on what law to prosecute it under,” says Wright.
Wright says the case would have been charged using the new law, had it been in effect at that time. And that may be fortunate for the young girl or the boy who distributed the photos.
Under the new law, which took effect May 5, teens caught sexting with someone under the age of 16 can be charged with the equivalent of child molestation, a felony. That could mean your child might not actually take a photo but, if one is received and forwarded, a felony could be committed
The crime could result in a 10 year prison sentence and being a registered sex offender for the rest of their lives.
To draw attention to the new law, Smith says the Blackshear Police Department will inform teenagers about the dangers of sexting. The police department will make a presentation on the new law during orientation after school starts August 7.
“We think it will be more productive and will drive home the seriousness of the situation if we allow the police department to deliver the message,” Smith says.
Wright says it is important that teens understand the ramifications of their actions.
“We will cover all the aspects of the changes to the law including the potential consequences,” he says. “These crimes can be very serious.”
In addition to the potential for child molestation charges, Wright explains, depending on the act, other offenses such as enticing a child and sexual exploitation of a minor might also apply.
The information will be covered with all classes during a review of the student handbook during the first week of school.
Wright says he will also cover laws regarding potential bomb threats.
Smith said a key to curbing the practice of sexting is getting parents involved. The veteran principal said parents have every right to check their kids’ phones for inappropriate material every night.
“Some parents don’t see much danger in cell phones,” says Smith. “Not only are they disruptive in the classroom, they can lead to more serious situations like this.”
Read these stories and more in the July 29 edition of The Blackshear Times
(Subscribers click here to log in and read the entire paper online.)
• Developer, city in dispute over payment of new Petticoat park sewer
• "Citizen of the Year" nominations sought
• ‘The worst I’ve ever seen it.’ At least half of county’s tobacco crop lost to above average wet season
• BOE delays decision on teacher furlough order
• Benefit set for family of motorcyclist hit by log truck:
Pierce County teens may be getting such a text message on their cell phones soon. That’s because a strict new state law took effect in recent weeks that can make “sexting” an offense equal to felony child molestation.
Sexting is the sending or receiving of pornographic pictures and/or text using cell phones.
Think it doesn’t happen here?
Think again.
Administrators at Pierce County High investigated two cases of sexting last year. Police say those two cases are probably only the tip of the iceberg. They know such behavior is happening but there’s no way for police to monitor what teens do with their cell phone. That’s the job of parents.
Parents, however, are often naive, or unwilling to believe their child could do such a thing.
They may be wrong.
“My boyfriend promised...”
Those were the first words out of the mouth of a pretty 14 year old PCHS freshman who told police she “gave in” and allowed her 15 year old boyfriend to take cell phone photographs of her pubic area.
The boyfriend didn’t keep his word.
Within days, lewd images of the petite brunette had been sent to dozens of other teens across the school and beyond.
“It’s sad, but young kids are naive,” says Blackshear Police Detective Chris Wright. “Young girls want to trust their boyfriends, but...”
Even though cell phones are banned from the school campus, school principal Anthony Smith says the devices are routinely taken from students for disrupting classes. From those confiscated phones, indications are sexting ” while not a major problem ” is definitely occurring among local youths.
Not all of the girls involved in sexting are being sweet-talked by their boyfriends, however. Another student, this one a 13 year old girl at the middle school, reportedly had a “crush” on a a 17 year old junior boy at the high school. Hoping to “impress” the older boy, the girl took cell phone pictures of her pubic area and sent them to the boy. Again, those images were quickly circulated at lightning speed around the school and beyond.
Chances are good both of those images are posted somewhere now on the Internet for all the world to see. Once the images leave your possession, there’s no stopping where ” or in whose hands ” they can end up.
Both of those cases were turned over to the Blackshear Police Department.
Wright says officers don’t think either case occurred on campus or at school events. One case was handled in juvenile court, while the other has been turned over to the district attorney’s office for review.
“We are seeking guidance on what law to prosecute it under,” says Wright.
Wright says the case would have been charged using the new law, had it been in effect at that time. And that may be fortunate for the young girl or the boy who distributed the photos.
Under the new law, which took effect May 5, teens caught sexting with someone under the age of 16 can be charged with the equivalent of child molestation, a felony. That could mean your child might not actually take a photo but, if one is received and forwarded, a felony could be committed
The crime could result in a 10 year prison sentence and being a registered sex offender for the rest of their lives.
To draw attention to the new law, Smith says the Blackshear Police Department will inform teenagers about the dangers of sexting. The police department will make a presentation on the new law during orientation after school starts August 7.
“We think it will be more productive and will drive home the seriousness of the situation if we allow the police department to deliver the message,” Smith says.
Wright says it is important that teens understand the ramifications of their actions.
“We will cover all the aspects of the changes to the law including the potential consequences,” he says. “These crimes can be very serious.”
In addition to the potential for child molestation charges, Wright explains, depending on the act, other offenses such as enticing a child and sexual exploitation of a minor might also apply.
The information will be covered with all classes during a review of the student handbook during the first week of school.
Wright says he will also cover laws regarding potential bomb threats.
Smith said a key to curbing the practice of sexting is getting parents involved. The veteran principal said parents have every right to check their kids’ phones for inappropriate material every night.
“Some parents don’t see much danger in cell phones,” says Smith. “Not only are they disruptive in the classroom, they can lead to more serious situations like this.”
Read these stories and more in the July 29 edition of The Blackshear Times
(Subscribers click here to log in and read the entire paper online.)
• Developer, city in dispute over payment of new Petticoat park sewer
• "Citizen of the Year" nominations sought
• ‘The worst I’ve ever seen it.’ At least half of county’s tobacco crop lost to above average wet season
• BOE delays decision on teacher furlough order
• Benefit set for family of motorcyclist hit by log truck:
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