[StBernard] St. Bernard Sheriff's Office launches 'sexting' investigation

[Westley Annis]

St. Bernard Sheriff's Office launches 'sexting' investigation
Updated: Dec 18, 2013 7:34 PM CST
Written by: FOX8Live.com Staff
 
CHALMETTE, La. - The St. Bernard Parish Sheriff's Office is investigating
whether Chalmette juveniles were involved in "sexting" by re-sending
suggestive photos to social network sites, according to Sheriff James
Pohlmann.

Sexting is the illegal practice of juveniles younger than 17 sending
suggestive photos of themselves or re-transmitting suggestive photos they
received using e-mail, computer or other electronic means. Some of the
photos involved in the Chalmette case ended up being re-sent using
Instagram.

Pohlmann said sheriff's detectives said several suspects and victims have
been interviewed. Some of the photos may have been altered so that a face is
falsely associated with an image of a different body, the sheriff said.

No arrests have been made, but detectives are trying to determine if there
are violations of state law.

Under law, a minor who sends a suggestive photo of themselves to another
minor could be subject to mandatory counseling, however, a minor who
re-transmits an indecent image sent to them could be subject to a short jail
sentence and a fine. Adults sending suggestive images of a minor would face
stricter penalties.

Louisiana was one of the first states to pass a law directly aimed at
teenage sexting.

In the Chalmette investigation, the sheriff said detectives are focusing on
the re-transmitting of inappropriate images.