![]() In other cases, after targeting a victim, an extortionist may acquire the images by hacking the victim’s phone or computer. They usually pretend they are teens, and they persuade their teen victims to share sexual images through messaging apps or video chats. Child safety experts tell us that sexual extortionists prowl social media sites, chat rooms, and video game sites. Parents want to know if their own children are at risk, and the answer is yes. ![]() Senator Leyva says the new law sends this message to sexual extortion victims: “We stand with you and we will protect you.” ARE YOUR CHILDREN AT RISK? The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children tells us that 78 percent of sexual extortion victims are teen girls whose average age is 15. Mijangos hacked into dozens of computers owned by underage girls, stole nude images, and threatened to publish the pictures unless the girls provided him with more images.ĭistrict Judge George H. ![]() In 2011, for example, a Los Angeles court sentenced Luis Mijangos to six years in federal prison. Or they hack into a victim’s computer or smartphone and simply steal already-existing private images. They can pretend to be someone else online and simply ask for such images, sometimes coaxing and cajoling a child for weeks or even months. Sexual extortionists use several methods to obtain explicit sexual images of minors. The new statute is not a substitute for other applicable laws, but rather it enhances the tools police agencies and prosecutors may use against sexual predators.Īnyone charged with sexual extortion in southern California will need to contact a skilled Long Beach criminal defense attorney at once. SB 500 clarifies that extortion in California now includes not only extortion for money or property, but also extortion involving sexual images and acts. When the bill was signed, its sponsor in the California Legislature, Senator Connie Leyva of Chino, stated on her website, “The Governor’s signature of SB 500 tells sextortion victims that they matter and that they absolutely deserve to be able to receive justice in a court of law.” WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE NEW SEXUAL EXTORTION LAW?īut by making the new sexual extortion law precise and specific, California lawmakers allow prosecutors to pursue sexual extortionists with more confidence that they will win convictions. In 2017, most cases of sexual extortion involve predators obtaining sexually explicit images of a child and then extorting the child for more images, or for money or sex.Ĭurrently in California, and still in 45 other states, an alleged sexual extortionist might have to be charged with something like blackmail, child pornography, or child endangerment. Precisely what is sexual extortion, how are our children and teens targeted, and what should parents know? If someone is charged with sexual extortion, what are that person’s legal options? Can a sex crimes law firm in Long Beach help?Īnd what are the specifics of the new law in California? Keep reading, and we’ll try to answer those questions one at a time. According to the FBI, it’s the leading threat to children on the internet, but until just recently, it was specifically against the law in only four states.īeginning in 2018, however, sexual extortion will also be a specific crime in California under Senate Bill 500, which was signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown in October.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |