Deputies: Teen boy facing charges in sextortion case

PLAINFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — Deputies say a 14-year-old boy from Plainfield Township is facing charges after allegedly pressuring other teenagers to send inappropriate images.

According to the Kent County Sheriff’s Office, the boy was arrested Monday and is facing multiple charges: three counts of child sexually abusive activity, two counts of using a computer to commit a crime and one count of possession of child sexually abusive material.

Investigators say they believe he used social media to target up to 17 other teenagers and pressure them to send illicit images.

Deputies described it as a sextortion case.

“Sextortion is a term used to describe the act of pressuring another person to send inappropriate images and then threatening to release them in an attempt to extort the victim,” they wrote in a release.

The sheriff’s office emphasized the dangers of sextortion and online bullying.

“As law enforcement continues to investigate, it becomes clear that these crimes are not faceless acts from distant locations but can, and do, happen right here within our community,” deputies wrote. “We encourage anyone experiencing pressure to send illicit images or being bullied to contact a trusted adult; whether it’s a parent, teacher, School Resource Officer, or family friend.”

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