Hellertown Police said in a news release Monday that two teens have been cited/charged for their role in the alleged electronic transmission of sexually explicit images as minors.
Police said a 15-year-old girl was cited for allegedly generating and transmitting the images and a 16-year-old boy was charged with third-degree misdemeanor transmission of the images after he allegedly forwarded them to other juveniles.
According to the PA crimes code, Title 18, Chapter 63 (Minors), Section 6321, “a minor commits a misdemeanor of the third degree when the minor knowingly transmits, distributes, publishes or disseminates an electronic communication containing a sexually explicit image of another minor who is 12 years of age or older.” (Source: Law.justia.com)
A minor commits a summary offense when “the minor…knowingly transmits, distributes, publishes or disseminates an electronic communication containing a sexually explicit image of himself…(or) knowingly possesses or knowingly views a sexually explicit image of a minor who is 12 years of age or older.” (Source: Law.justia.com)
Among teens and young adults the transmission of sexually explicit photos via social media, texting, etc., is commonly known as “sexting.”
Police said they began investigating the incident on Nov. 3.
