16-Year-Old Arrested, 14-Year-Old Cited in Sexting Probe

RANCHO CUCAMONGA – Teenage suspects were booked and cited during a recent investigation that involves sexting obscene materials.

On Tuesday, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s detectives, who arrested a 16-year-old male and cited a 14-year-old female last week, are still investigating what appears to be a growing trend among teens – using social media to illegally share images of sexually implicit material.

The 16-year-old male was booked into juvenile hall on a felony charge of obscene matter depicting a minor engaging in or simulating sexual conduct. The 14-year-old female was issued a citation on a misdemeanor charge of distributing obscene matter. Due to the suspect’s ages, their identities were not revealed.

School resource officers at Etiwanda and Rancho Cucamonga high schools received reports that semi-nude photos of teenage students had been posted on social media during the evening hours on May 6. During the ensuing investigation, in which a detective from the Rancho Cucamonga station was assigned, it was revealed that an Etiwanda High School student’s social media account was used to disseminate four images.

Interviews confirmed at least two female students from Rancho Cucamonga High School sent these images to the male student in the past. Investigators are still attempting to identify the female juveniles depicted in the other two images. Sheriff’s investigators issued search warrants to identify the physical location from where the images were sent, and whether the male student sent them, or if the social media account was maliciously accessed for the purpose of disseminating the images.

All persons who send obscene images of persons under the age of 18, whether of themselves or other persons, violate child pornography laws.

Read More:

Daily Bulletin: ‘Sexting’ allegations made against five students at Rancho Cucamonga, Etiwanda high schools

KABC: ‘Sexting’ photos prompt probe at Etiwanda, Rancho Cucamonga high schools