The Maine School Administrative District 1 board of directors voted Wednesday to expel a Presque Isle High School student accused of soliciting explicit images from as many as 20 female students.
The 15-year-old student is under investigation by the Presque Isle Police Department for allegedly blackmailing and soliciting sexually explicit photos from at least 20 female students at the high school, according to detective Kris Beck.
The student’s actions came to light during the second full week of classes at PIHS in late August, after one of the victims told a school social worker and school officials alerted police.
The student was suspended from school after an internal investigation, according to superintendent Brian Carpenter.
The 15-year-old, who has not been identified because he is a juvenile, allegedly solicited nude smartphone photographs of female students by “attempting to extort and blackmail them,” Beck said.
The teen allegedly threatened the female students, saying he would share personal information or spread rumors about them if they didn’t share photos, according to Beck.
The 20 victims are all high school age girls and more may have been involved from other area school systems, said the detective. He added that it does not appear the student shared the photos with anyone else or followed through on any of his threats.
The 15-year-old has not been arrested or charged but could be “looking at potential criminal charges,” Beck said.
According to a 2009 survey by the Pew Research Center, approximately 20 percent of teenagers admitted to being involved with “sexting,” including receiving or forwarding photos, while 4 percent said they had sent a photo of themselves.
“Sexting” is legal for consenting adults. Those who possess or distribute nude images of minors in Maine, however, are breaking the law and can face a host of charges, including possession of child pornography.
To reach a sexual assault advocate, call the Statewide Sexual Assault Crisis and Support Line at 800-871-7741, TTY 888-458-5599. This free and confidential 24-hour service is accessible from anywhere in Maine. Calls are automatically routed to the closest sexual violence service provider.
