‘Sextortion’ Suspect Linked To South Bay Teen's Suicide: Cops

SAN JOSÉ, CA — A Southern California man was arrested last week in connection with an internet extortion case authorities believe led to a South Bay teen’s suicide, San José police said.

Jonathan Kassi, 25 of Reseda, was arrested Thursday on suspicion of extortion and posting a photo without consent, police said.

Kassi’s arrest culminated an SJPD Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force investigation into a West African financial “sextortion” scheme that began in late February, police said.

ICAC investigators identified Jonathan Kassi as a person involved in the sextortion of a 17-year-old resident of San José, which resulted in the boy’s suicide, according to police.

Kassi was transported to San José after Los Angeles police arrested him in Van Nuys.

Detectives believe there could be additional victims due to the suspect’s criminal pattern and use of social media to target minors. He sexually exploited children online utilizing the usernames “emillysmith” and “kassijonathan” on various social media applications, according to police.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact Sergeant Pierce #3415 of the San José Police Department’s ICAC Unit at (408) 537-1397 or e-mail 3415@sanjoseca.gov.

Crime tips can be submitted anonymously by using the P3TIPS mobile app, calling the tip line at (408) 947-STOP, or on www.svcrimestoppers.org.

Anyone who submits information that leads to an arrest is eligible for a cash reward from the Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers Program.