Peters Township High Schooler Facing Hundreds Of Sex Abuse Charges

PETERS TOWNSHIP, PA — An 18-year-old Pittsburgh-area high school is in custody after being arrested on more than 300 sex-related charges involving more than 20 underage victims.

Among the felony charges faced by Zachariaerh Meyers, a Peters Township High School senior: Trafficking in minors, sexual extortion, intercept communications, corruption of minors, child sexual abuse material, unlawful contact with a minor, sexual exploitation of children, and criminal use of communication facility.

According to NBC News, Meyers engaged in a significant "catfishing" and "sextortion" scheme involving the victims.

While posing as other people, Meyers allegedly induced the juveniles involved to produce and disseminate explicit images and videos of themselves, requested them to “engage in prohibited sexual acts,” then demanded $500 for not sharing the explicit materials.

The victims ranged in age from 14 to 17, according to court documents.

Meyers is being held in the Washington County Jail without bail.

"We will continue to cooperate fully with the investigation,” a spokesperson told NBC. “The safety and well-being of our students, staff, and families remain our highest priority, and we appreciate all the efforts of the Peters Township Police in this matter.”