Oak Lawn Student Accused Of Blackmailing Girlfriend For Nude Snapchats

By Rachel Cromidas in News on May 14, 2015 3:00PM

In an incident that makes us glad we didn't have a cell phone in high school, an Oak Lawn student has been accused of blackmailing his girlfriend into sending him nude photos via the app Snapchat and distributing them to other students.

The incident has sparked a police investigation and a "parents only" meeting at St. John Fisher Grade School, at 10200 S. Washtenaw Ave, where police officers said they will educate parents on the potential dangers of their children's social media use, which can range from criminal charges related to cyber-bullying, revenge pornography and child pornography distribution. The meeting will be held today at 7 p.m.

Police told the Chicago Tribune that "all parties are being investigated," including the girl who originally sent the photos of herself for violating either the state's sexting law or child porn statute.

The consequences for minors sending each other nude photos can be serious. The child porn statute, for example, could earn a kid ten years as a registered sex offender, though law enforcement officials say they are reluctant to give young people such a severe punishment. The penalty for the state's less-severe sexting law could require a juvenile to attend counseling, but typically does not lead to a criminal charge or arrest history.

We really feel for the girl at the center of this incident, whom authorities say lives in Beverly, but will not release other details about her.

"The victim's family keeps calling because there's another kid who sent it," Ald. Matt O'Shea (19th) told the Tribune. "Every week, I'm getting a phone call (about more people seeing her photo)."