Sexting Teen Charged With Sexually Exploiting Himself

[Egnever]

Sexting Teen Charged With Sexually Exploiting Himself

https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20150903/09480532154/sexting-teen-charged-with-sexually-exploiting-himself.shtml

A North Carolina 17-year-old caught in a sexting scandal faces charges of sexually exploiting a minor that could land him in jail for up to 10 years, since the law considers him an adult. Fayetteville, North Carolina, cops have charged 17-year-old Cormega Copening with sexual exploitation of a minor—his girlfriend, who is the same age—because the couple sent each other nude photos of themselves during their relationship.

Copening faces two counts of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor and three counts of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor. Denson had faced one count of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor -- the said victim being herself.

If the charges against Copening stick, he'll be required to register as a sex offender -- (mostly) for possessing photos of his own body.

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https://reason.com/blog/2015/09/02/teen-boy-will-be-charged-as-adult-for-ha

But first, to recap: Copening and his girlfriend—now identified as Brianna Denson—are like other teenagers in that they have more than a passing interest in sex. Indeed, when they were 16, they exchanged racy sexy photos via text message. Denson sent pictures to Copening, and Copening sent pictures to Denson. It appears that no one else saw the pictures until local authorities searched Copening’s phone and discovered them.

Why did they search his phone? It’s not clear, but local news reports claimed that it had nothing to do with the sexts themselves. The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office did not respond to a request for comment. According to fayobserver.com, there is no record of a search warrant being issued for Copening’s phone.

Both teens were charged with sexual exploitation. Denson pleaded guilty to a lesser charge and was given 12 months of probation.

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Just WTF?

[Volaris]

1. By that logic, this PA had better make a proctologist's appointment...

Because clearly he needs his head examined. Also, unless the other party was charged as an adult, how will this NOT be the fastest overturn on appeal in States history??

For his next case, this PA will sue himself for filing frivolous lawsuits...WTF indeed...

[Egnever]

2. That would round out this debacle nicely

If the PA was to sue himself at the end. Based on the crazy logic that seems to be going on in this case it would not surprise me to see it happen.

[Comrade Grumpy]

3. Gotta protect the kids.

[Lee-Lee]

4. I'm willing to bet

That the prosecutors office is leaning on him to give info on down something else on a bigger case they think he knows something about or is a part of. That's usually when you see them absurdly pushing technical violations of the law.

[Egnever]

5. Interesting theory

You could be right. But they did charge the girl as well who ended up pleading out and is on probation.

I would be willing to bet the girl could not afford decent representation cause I just can't see how this could actually stand up if it went to court.

Didn't the supreme Court just recently rule on searching of cell phones? I seem to remember them saying a warrent was required maybe I am mistaken but if not that ruling by itself would seem to me to be enough to get this thrown out.

[Lee-Lee]

6. That all depends on circumstances

He may have very well given consent to look at his phone, thinking he didn't do anything wrong.

And that they were in contact on an unrelated matter and asked to look at his phone leads me toward the theory of them leaning on him. They may suspect or even know he is part of something else bigger, were investigating that, got consent to search his phone because he knew there was nothing related to what they were asking about on the phone- and then they find the pics and choose to use that as leverage.

It's usually a strategy of how federal agencies work, but I could see a DA with political aspirations to make big headline busts doing this on a local level...

[malthaussen]

7. The fact that they were searching his phone for something else...

... lends credence to that speculation, but speculation is all it is.

-- Mal