VA- Students face 'sexting' charges

In today's Congressional hearing on SORNA Rep. Bobby Scott repeditally asked Laura Rogers whether a 19 year old and a 15 year old (4 years apart) would result in the 19 year old having to register, and suffer all that follows from being publically listed. I'm thinking Rep. Scott was thinking a Romeo and Juliet type of case.

Now, Rep. Scott was not getting a straight answer from Laura Rogers, she kept being what appeared evasive, saying it depends on how the person was charged and whether or not it was a felony and other factors. Rep. Scott seemed to get a bit testy hearing that more then once and asked her again.

I think I may have just understood Laura Roger's comment, here in this a case of "Sexting" (Internet Child Pornography) someone is likely to be charged with a felony according to SORNA (maybe different under state law).

In this case we have a type of Romeo and Juliet situation, as is often the case with sexting, two underage juveniles and if convicted of a felony with have to register -under AWA- for a good long time and their lives ruined.

Rep. Scott seemed to imply that certain Romeo and Juliet cases should be exempted from SORNA's effect, well look closely, so should some of the sexting cases involving juveniles, if they are convicted. eAdvocate

3-10-2009 Virginia:

Spotsylvania has received several reports of the new texting trend, but today’s charges mark the first case to be prosecuted, police say.

Two Spotsylvania students were charged this morning in connection with an ongoing sexting investigation.

Moizeis Ribeiro, 18, and an unnamed 15-year-old boy were each charged with possession of child pornography with intent to distribute and electronic solicitation, said 1st Sgt. Liz Scott of the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office.

The charges are the first ever placed in Spotsylvania in a sexting case.

Sexting refers to sending nude or explicit pictures over cell phone text messages and is common mostly associated with teenagers. Scott said recently that there have been several reports of the new texting trend, but today’s charges mark the first case to be prosecuted.

The charges came as the result of an investigation that began Feb. 19, according to a search warrant affidavit filed in Spotsylvania County Circuit Court.

On that day, Deputy S. Pyktel, who works as a school resource officer, was told about a sexting incident at Spotsylvania High School regarding Ribeiro’s possession of photos of a nude 13-year-old girl on his cell phone, the affidavit states.

Scott said through the investigation over the last several weeks by Detective J.C. Blankenship, it was found that Ribeiro and the 15-year-old boy had solicited pictures from three juveniles, including the 13-year-old who is a student at Chancellor Middle School.

Scott also said that one of the juveniles was in elementary school.

Scott said today in a release that during the investigation, seven cell phones were seized and three juveniles were identified, but authorities have yet to identify two others pictured on the phones.

She said that the unknown photos were sent to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children for possible identification. ..News Source.. by ELLEN BILTZ