Sheriff’s Dept Investigates Teen ‘Sexting’
Dakota High Students At Center Of Investigation
MACOMB TOWNSHIP, Mich. — The Macomb County Sheriff’s Department is investigating sexual text messages exchanged between four Dakota High School students.
Sexual text messaging, often referred to as “sexting,” involves sending sexually explicit messages or pictures.
Authorities warn there are harsh legal ramifications if photographs of a minor are texted.
The Macomb County Sheriff’s Department Youth Bureau is handling the case, which centers on three boys and one girl ages 16 to 18.
Sheriff’s deputies said it appears the four were sending sexually explicit photos among themselves.
Cheryl Carpenter is an attorney familiar with sexting cases.
“If a girl takes a naked picture of herself and she is 17 or younger, she can be charged with manufacturing child pornography. That’s a 20 year felony plus lifetime registry on the sex offenders list,” Carpenter said.
Sources told Local 4 that the Chippewa Valley School District said the sexting incidents did not happen on school grounds.
This is not the first time local law enforcement has investigated sexting.
Nineteen students at Pinckney High School were investigated after a sexting scandal spread there.
Police and prosecutors in Pinckney said they are satisfied with the way the school district and parents handled the issue.
No charges were filed in that case.
“Sheriffs Dept Investigates Teen Sexting – Detroit Local News Story – WDIV Detroit.” Click On Detroit | Detroit News, Detroit, Michigan News, Weather, Sports Online | WDIV Local 4. Web. 22 Sept. 2010.
