'Sextortion' Probe Leads To Middle Schooler Facing Felony Child Pornography Charges: Police

STONY POINT, NY — A child who is accused of sexually exploiting classmates is facing felony charges, according to police in Rockland County.

Police say that the case "highlights both the serious dangers our children face online and the extraordinary bravery of students who came forward."

The Stony Point Police Department announced on Wednesday the arrest of a Fieldstone Middle School student following an investigation that was launched in February after student victims reported to their School Resource Officer and school administrators that they were being coerced online.

Police say that their decision to speak up, along with the support of their parents, allowed the department to conduct an intensive investigation in collaboration with the North Rockland Central School District, the Rockland County District Attorney's Office's Special Victims Unit and Electronics Detection K9, the Haverstraw Police Department, and the Rockland County Sheriff's Office's Computer Crimes and Intelligence Divisions.

As a result of the monthslong investigation, a child who attends the school was charged with felony use of a child in a sexual performance, felony promoting a sexual performance by a child, and felony possessing a sexual performance by a child.

"This crime is extremely serious and involves the victimization of students within our community," Stony Point police said. "Police officials stress that sextortion is not only a local issues, but a global problem fueled by social media. Many parents may be unaware of the extent of these danger. It is essential to create safe, judgment-free environments where children feel comfortable reporting concerns."

Stony Point police say that six victims have come forward so far, but investigators believe there are potentially several hundred additional victims who have yet to report their experiences. The department urges any student or parent with information about this case to contact the Youth Officer, Detective Andrew Kryger, at 845-786-2422.

In order to further support the community, the Stony Point Police Department and the Haverstraw Police Department, along with the North Rockland Central School District, plan to host an open forum and presentation at the Fieldstone Middle School Auditorium at a time to be announced later on. Police say the event will go over the case, provide resources on sextortion awareness, and allow parents and students to ask questions.

"The Stony Point Police Department commends the courage of the victims and their families in helping bring this case to light," Stony Point police said. "Together, we can protect our children and prevent further victimization. It is up to us as a community, together with school administration and parents, to provide safe platforms where our youth feel comfortable speaking about negative experiences without fear of secondary consequences, humiliation, or punishment. We must create an environment that instills confidence and trust, ensuring that our children never feel alone and always know that support is available when they need it."