Newtown Police Make Large Teen Sexting Bust

Newtown Police have arrested three juveniles and sent 20 others to the Juvenile Review Board after uncovering a mass number of sexually explicit photos and videos that were being shared and sometimes sold for profit.

The six-month investigation included interviewing more than 50 Newtown High School students, police said in a statement. Several phones were seized. Videos and photos were created outside of school, but were brought to the attention of school administrators.

Newtown Police Department’s School Resource Officer Liam Seabrook began an investigation after hearing about the alleged circulation of sexually explicit images and videos among students. The content was shared over Snapchat, Facetime, iMessage, Kik and other services, police said.

Messages were intended for one recipient, but were circulated. Some were sold for a profit, police said.

The Juvenile Review Board is a community-based diversionary program, which keeps juveniles out of the criminal system, but still imposes penalties such as mandated community service. If juveniles don’t successfully complete the program then they would be arrested.