The Aurora Police Department released their first official statement yesterday regarding the Instagram sextortion scandal targeting students in the Aurora area, confirming the details in The Raider Review’s report last week.
Last week the Review reported that students from multiple schools and districts were victims to an Instagram sextortion scandal. APD stated “detectives have received reports related to the investigation from students and officials at Rangeview, Smoky Hill, Gateway, Vista Peak, Cherokee Trail and Overland high school.”
The update also revealed that the scheme included middle school students belonging to Aurora Hills and Mrachek, meaning it involves students much younger than originally thought.
The Raider Review has also confirmed victims from Eaglecrest and DPS high schools George Washington, Northfield, and Montbello.
Like several other schools, “[Rangeview] has turned over everything to APD and they are handling it all,” said Dean of students Delisha Boyd.
Boyd also recommends students “cooperate with police” and report any additional information to SROs (School Resource Officers).
Initial responses varied. In their release APD stated “The sextortion scheme was first reported on Jan. 16, 2024, to an Aurora Police Department School Resource Officer.” However, the main account was started the night of the 16th, and all school districts with victims involved were canceled that day due to freezing temperatures.
Rangeview administration and its SROs started investigating the scandal the morning of the 17th, while the Cherry Creek School District with victims in at least three schools told CBS4 Colorado on Friday the 19th that they weren’t “sure if any of their students were involved”.
When the Review reached out to APD, they declined to comment because the investigation is ongoing.
APD have stated that their Internet Crimes Against Children Unit are investigating. The Raider Review believes that the FBI are also involved, but cannot confirm on record.
The FBI have stated in a video on their website that sextortion is “a serious crime”, and payments for keeping sensitive information private can include sexual favors or money (FBI).
There are multiple possible charges for the owners of the Instagram accounts involved, including two felony charges and a misdemeanor.
Colorado’s Revenge Porn laws are a Class 1 Misdemeanor, and can result in up to 364 days in jail and/or a mandatory fine of up to $10,000. Due to the wording of the law, it seems that every photo is a separate charge. The law also specifies the released explicit photos are of a person eighteen years or older, meaning that this may not be relevant in this case, regardless of whether this is “revenge porn” or not.
Criminal Extortion is a Class 4 Felony, which can result in two to six years in prison, and/or anywhere from $2,000 to $500,000 in fines. The perpetrator(s) may face these punishments for every person they extorted.
Sexual Exploitation of a Child Under 18 is the legal name for any crimes regarding child porn, and can be classified as a Class 3, 4, or 5 Felony depending on the severity. The most severe version is the Class 3 version, regarding the production or distribution of child porn.
The owner of the main Instagram account could face these charges, which constitute four to twelve years in prison, and/or a fine of $3,000-$750,000. It’s the most severe of the charges that may extend to this case.
The Class 5 Felony version of Sexual Exploitation of a Child Under 18 is for a first offense for possession of still images. Anyone who paid to get on the Instagram accounts “Close Friends List” or took screenshots of the images may be charged, and receive one to three years in prison, and/or a fine of $1,000-$100,000.
Screenshotting is a serious concern considering that each story had roughly 2,000 views. It’s not unreasonable to suspect that ten to fifteen people took screenshots of every photo that got posted.
Initial reports claimed that one of the photos shared on the Instagram account was possibly doctored or an AI deep fake, which caused concerns. The Review have since determined that the photo was not AI generated, and possibly not altered at all.
Sextortion tends to target boys between the ages of 14 and 17 according to a PSA by ICE. The page also claims that predators use their phones to both stalk and blackmail their victims on social media and dating apps. They say that “cases affecting young children, teens and adults have increased exponentially in the past two years” (ICE).
ICE also stated that upwards of “79% of predators seek money rather than additional sexual imagery” (ICE).
The PSA makes sure to highlight the emotional turmoil sextortion victims face, and that many feel as though they have nowhere to turn to. If anyone has been affected by this scheme, the Review urges that they report it to the police and seek help, especially if they suffer from any harmful thoughts.
This is a developing story, stay updated through the Raider Review’s coverage.
If you know anything or are a victim of these crimes please contact the Aurora Police Department at 303-627-3100, a Rangeview Dean or Administrator, or Safe2Tell.
If you see any sexually explicit images or videos of minors on the web, please report it at one of the following, available 24/7: cybertip.org, or call 1-800-843-5678.
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please visit the Colorado Crisis Center located at 2206 Victor Street in Aurora. You can also call at 303-617-2300. Both are available anytime, and services are free.
