Officials in LaPorte County are investigating a child sexual abuse video of a LaPorte High School student linked to numerous local accounts that’s been making the rounds on the internet. They believe it may be one of the worst cases of “sex extortion” to be investigated in this area.
Initial efforts by authorities and school officials were aimed at stemming distribution of the video, which was streamed via Facebook Live and shared by a number of people. A robo call to high school parents informed them of the investigation and warned that anyone who possesses or further distributes the video may be guilty of possession and/or dissemination of child pornography. It’s a serious crime and is punishable as a felony offense.
La Porte County Prosecuting Attorney John Espar immediately mobilized all members of the newly formed Internet Crimes Against Children (“ICAC”) Unit and alerted the Indiana ICAC Task Force in Indianapolis and counterparts at the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
He says they will conduct a high-tech investigation to trace the video’s origins and the individual responsible for its production.
La Porte County Sheriff John Boyd and Prosecutor Espar expressed concern for the child and the child’s family who appear to have been victimized by a particularly heinous crime. They both urge everyone to refrain from jumping to conclusions in the matter and avoid the kind of speculation that can only further victimize the family and impede the investigation.
