Latest Teen Sexting Incident Involves Threats, Graphic Sex Photos

Police are investigating threatening text messages and sexually explicit pictures sent from a cell phone to at least five students at Mountain View Middle School in Bremerton.

“Sexually explicit messages, sexually explicit photographs of male and female genitalia. Threatening messages, threatening to assault and harm,” said Det. Sgt. Kevin Crane of the Bremerton Police Department.

KIRO 7 Eyewitness News reporter Kevin McCarty said police believe all the messages were sent from the same number but that police have not found the phone's owner. Investigators believe the phone belongs to another student at the school.

Police have determined that the crimes of harassment and cyberbullying have taken place. They are also investigating the messages as a possible child pornography case because the photos may be of underage kids.

“So far we've certainly identified the crimes of harassment and cyberbullying. Possibly we may have charges of child porn of some sort, or exploitation of a minor as well,” Crane said.

Last week, two Lacey students, ages 13 and 14, were charged with child pornography after they allegedly sent a naked picture of another student from their cell phones. Police said a 14-year-old boy at Chinook Middle School received a cell phone picture from his 14-year-old girlfriend showing her naked. When the boy and girl broke up, the boy allegedly started forwarding the image to other students.

Previous Stories: January 29, 2010: Two Teens Charged With Child Pornography After Sexting January 28, 2010: Sexting 14-Year-Old Accused Of Child Porn