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Students suspended in Jamestown sexting case

UPDATE @ 9:45 a.m. Nov. 10

Two students in the Greeneview school district have been suspended as part of the school’s investigation into a sexting incident involving several students.

The suspensions were handed down because the students had illegal images on their phones while at school, said Superintendent Isaac Seevers.

At the start of the investigation, Seevers said as many as five students could face disciplinary action by the district.

UPDATE @ 6 p.m. Nov. 9

Experts say sexting is becoming a dangerous trend among young people across the United States, including the Miami Valley, where Jamestown authorities reported last week that several students in the Greeneview school district are involved in a sexting incident.

“I consider it a significant problem,” said Art Jipson director of the criminal justice studies program at the University of Dayton.

There could be up to nine victims in the Greeneview schools incident, Jamestown Police Chief Rodger Tyree said last week, noting that the victims range from 11 to 16 years old.

The incident came to light when parents contacted police after hearing rumors and accusations about sexting in the school district, the chief said.

Police continue to investigate and no charges have been filed, Tyree said Monday.

Sexting is easy and seems to be fun for many young people, but they don’t understand the long-term consequences, Jipson said.

“It’s a question of the thrill of doing it,” he said. “I think there is the excitement of baring your all, both figuratively and literally.”

He estimates nearly one in three young people has sent or received an illicit message, which they consider to be flirting in the 21st Century.

Jipson and Tyree encourage parents to talk to their kids and make them understand how dangerous sexting can be, especially since offenders can be prosecuted.

“I can’t stress the important for the parents and especially our kids to realize the devastating effects a picture can cause you,” Tyree said

UPDATE @ 3:40 p.m. Nov. 9

The students involved in the Jamestown sexting case were not connected to a previous case of sexting at Greeneview school district which received media coverage in May, according to Jamestown Police Chief Rodger Tyree.

Tyree said investigators continue to collect information on this new case and no charges have been filed at this time.

WHIO’s Kate Bartley talked to an expert about the trend of young people sexting and the smartphone apps that enable them to hide it from their parents. Tune in to the 6 p.m. newscast for Bartley’s report.

UPDATE @ 3:20 p.m.

There could be up to nine victims in the sexting incident involving Greeneview students, Jamestown Police Chief Rodger Tyree said.

“I can’t stress enough the importance for parents and especially our kids to realize the devastating effects that a picture can cause you, that you may have to carry that burden the rest of your life,” Tyree said.

Tyree said several phones have been collected. He said the youngest victim could be 11 and the oldest 16. Tyree originally said the complaint was made by the school district, but in fact it was parents that first contacted the police department.

“Very, very serious accusations,” Tyree said, adding some students said they weren’t aware of photographs being taken at all.

Tyree said numerous rumors and accusations have been made that police are investigating. He said several phones have been collected as evidence.

“It is devastating to the victims, and even to the children doing this do not comprehend the seriousness of these charges if charges are filed,” Tyree said. “It can devastate their life, their parents’ lives, friends’ lives. It has a tremendous impact on a small community.”

Tyree said it’s believed the incidents happened at one location over the summer.

Isaac Seevers, superintendent of Greeneview Local Schools, said up to five students could face suspension if the complaints are true.

“Our jurisdiction is within our walls,” Seevers said, adding they’re working with police to determine if anything happened at the school.

Seevers said the school became aware of the incident on Wednesday afternoon after staff heard rumblings in the hallway. The high school principal and assistant principal then started talking to students and called in police.

Seevers said there were images possessed at school and shown to others at school.

“We would only suspend students if that behavior took place at school,” Seevers said. “We’re trying to put together all the pieces of information to make sure we have a complete story. Look at all the kids who may have seen it at school or possessed it at school.”

FIRST REPORT

Jamestown police are investigating a sexting complaint made this week by the Greeneview Local School District, Police chief Rodger Tyree confirmed Friday afternoon.

Tyree said the investigation is ongoing but there could be multiple victims as well as suspects. The complaint stems from incidents over the summer, Tyree said.

The case involves multiple juveniles, Tyree said. He added there have been photographs circulating, and at least two people were not aware photographs were being taken.

We have a reporter and photographer in Jamestown and will continue to update this developing story.