Jess
02-15-2014, 07:25 AM
Teen Girl Arrested On Child Porn Charges After Tweeting Nude Selfies
Posted on February 14, 2014
James City County Police say a teenager is facing child pornography charges after allegedly tweeting nude pictures of herself.
According to Stephanie Williams-Ortery with the James City County Police Department, officers received an anonymous tip about nude pictures posted on Twitter by the 16-year-old girl. It is unclear how many pictures were involved, but police say they were posted either on or around Jan. 30.
Williams-Ortery said photos were also sent to some boys.
A school resource officer was notified, and spoke with the teen and her mother.
“It’s not just friends that see what they post but also strangers and everyone else out there,” said Williams-Ortery. “You have no idea who’s out there watching. You never know who’s going to see what you post.”
The teen’s phone was confiscated for evidence, and she was charged with one count of distribution of child pornography. Williams-Ortery said other teens should be aware that they stand to get in trouble for pictures of this nature too, even if they aren’t the one’s who took the photo.
“I would hope that they would not then forward it on to their friends because then they become guilty also of distribution of child pornography, whether they know that or not,” Williams-Ortery said.
WAVY.com was informed that in the juvenile system this young woman and her parents could be ordered to complete a Sexting Education program. But there’s also the chance this could end up in court as a criminal matter with jail time as a possibility.
10 On Your Side talked to local parents who were surprised to hear the teen’s charge was so severe.
“I don’t think she should be charged with child pornography, because she is a child herself, but if she was 18 or older of course,” said parent Emily Altman.
“That is distributing, child pornography?” said parent Dometre Mobley. “She is a child, I don’t know what to think of that really.”
Police say the teen crossed the line of sexting to child porn because of the lewdness of the photos.
Parents may also be surprised to know investigators say they are seeing a surge in these types of cases because teens see it as harmless sexting.
The question I have about this story is ……. I don’t believe that nudity is pornography so, how can she be charged with child pornography? Any attorneys out there that can clarify this story?
Posted on February 14, 2014
James City County Police say a teenager is facing child pornography charges after allegedly tweeting nude pictures of herself.
According to Stephanie Williams-Ortery with the James City County Police Department, officers received an anonymous tip about nude pictures posted on Twitter by the 16-year-old girl. It is unclear how many pictures were involved, but police say they were posted either on or around Jan. 30.
Williams-Ortery said photos were also sent to some boys.
A school resource officer was notified, and spoke with the teen and her mother.
“It’s not just friends that see what they post but also strangers and everyone else out there,” said Williams-Ortery. “You have no idea who’s out there watching. You never know who’s going to see what you post.”
The teen’s phone was confiscated for evidence, and she was charged with one count of distribution of child pornography. Williams-Ortery said other teens should be aware that they stand to get in trouble for pictures of this nature too, even if they aren’t the one’s who took the photo.
“I would hope that they would not then forward it on to their friends because then they become guilty also of distribution of child pornography, whether they know that or not,” Williams-Ortery said.
WAVY.com was informed that in the juvenile system this young woman and her parents could be ordered to complete a Sexting Education program. But there’s also the chance this could end up in court as a criminal matter with jail time as a possibility.
10 On Your Side talked to local parents who were surprised to hear the teen’s charge was so severe.
“I don’t think she should be charged with child pornography, because she is a child herself, but if she was 18 or older of course,” said parent Emily Altman.
“That is distributing, child pornography?” said parent Dometre Mobley. “She is a child, I don’t know what to think of that really.”
Police say the teen crossed the line of sexting to child porn because of the lewdness of the photos.
Parents may also be surprised to know investigators say they are seeing a surge in these types of cases because teens see it as harmless sexting.
The question I have about this story is ……. I don’t believe that nudity is pornography so, how can she be charged with child pornography? Any attorneys out there that can clarify this story?