20 Charged in 'Sexting' Scandal in Two New Jersey Schools

One unidentified adult and 19 South Jersey juveniles have been charged following an investigation of cell phone “sexting” at two schools, authorities said.

A juvenile girl reported to officials that nude photos of her friend were allegedly being sent to male students around a school via text message, authorities said. The incidents allegedly happened at Lower Cape May Regional High School and the Richard M. Teitelman Middle School.

Detectives from the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office and the Lower Township Police Department seized 27 cell phones during an ensuing investigation, Cape May County Prosecutor Robert L. Taylor and Lower Township Police Chief William Mastriana announced on Tuesday.

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They learned that numerous nude and partially nude photographs of female students were allegedly being exchanged between male students via text message and social media, authorities said.

The 20 people involved were charged with third-degree invasion of privacy, according to the prosecutor’s office.

According to shorenewstoday.com, the identity of the adult is being withheld because Taylor is concerned that releasing the name of the adult may lead to identification of the juveniles.

If convicted, the adult faces the possibility of three to five years in State Prison. The juveniles would face up to two years in Training School.

The Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office offers a free seminar to every school within Cape May County on the dangers and consequences of cyberbullying and sexting.

Students across Cape May County should be aware that these actions are criminal and can lead to prosecution, Taylor said.

According to unknowkids.com, a website designed to protect kids from cyberbullying sexting and sexual predators, about 35 percent of students at Lower Cape May Regional High School are likely to receive an inappropriate or explicit photo, and 88 percent of those photos are likely to end up posted online.