Contra Costa 'Sextortion' Case Ends With Prison Sentence

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — A Canadian man will serve two years in prison and register as a sex offender after he was convicted of using "sextortion" against a minor in Contra Costa County.

According to the Consta Costa County District Attorney's Office, Nicholas Fahey, 25, contacted the underage victim over social media in the fall of 2019 and solicited sexually explicit images. After the victim complied, investigators said Fahey repeatedly threatened to publish the photos unless they continued to provide explicit content.

According to the DA's office, the Contra Costa County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) worked with Homeland Security Investigations to identify Fahey through his social media accounts. The Royal Canadian Mountain Police (RCMP) arrested Fahey at his home in Bay Bulls, Canada, and he was charged in 2021.

Last week, a Canadian judge sentenced Fahey to two years in prison and three years of supervised release, along with 10 years of mandatory registration as a sex offender.

"This investigation highlights the shared commitment of the ICAC Task Force and HSI to pursue criminals, even those operating beyond U.S. borders," said District Attorney Diana Becton. "Parents need to understand that individuals who prey on minors online are not restricted by national or state boundaries. Those who use the internet to harm our youth should know that my office will collaborate with law enforcement agencies like the Royal Canadian Mountain Police to seek justice for the victims in our county."

According to FBI data, 12,600 children in the United States were victims of "sextortion" schemes between 2021 and 2023.