Man Arrested on Suspicion of Sextorting Naperville Teen
Details of the Incident
A Texas man, Cody Ratliff, 39, of Kerrville, Texas, was arrested on February 9th and charged with felony intimidation by the Naperville Police Department. According to the police, Ratliff allegedly pretended to be a 16-year-old girl and tricked a 16-year-old boy into sending him nude photos online. He then threatened to release the photos unless the teen sent him electronic payments.
Extortion and Threats
Ratliff also found the teen’s friends and family on social media and threatened to send them the photos, police said. The teen paid Ratliff, who then demanded further payments, police said.
Warning from the Police Chief
“This is called sextortion, and it’s a growing problem in our society that every family should be aware of,” said Naperville police Chief Jason Arres. “Twenty-seven incidents of sextortion have been reported to our department in the last two years, with nearly half of the victims being juveniles. Parents, please talk to your children about their activity online and help protect them from criminals and sexual predators who use the anonymity of the internet to prey on their victims.”
What to Do if You’re a Victim
If you or someone you know has experienced a similar situation, please call the Naperville Police Department at (630) 420-6666.
Conclusion
Sextortion is a serious issue that affects many individuals, especially children and teenagers. It is crucial for parents and guardians to educate themselves and their children about online safety and the risks associated with sextortion.
FAQs
* What is sextortion?
Sextortion is a type of online extortion where an individual is forced to send explicit photos or videos to someone else, often through threats or coercion.
* How common is sextortion?
According to the Naperville Police Department, 27 incidents of sextortion have been reported in the last two years, with nearly half of the victims being juveniles.
* What should I do if I’m a victim of sextortion?
If you or someone you know has experienced a similar situation, please call the Naperville Police Department at (630) 420-6666.
