Available 24/7 | Call Now

Se habla Español

What Is Sextortion?

June 19, 2019
By The Wiseman Law Firm

With text messaging, dating apps, social media accounts, and email, it’s easier than ever to communicate electronically with other people. Through these types of media, individuals can send private messages back and forth to one another, with some exchanges including requests for suggestive photos or videos. If one person threatens to release the images unless they comply with certain demands, they can be charged with “sextortion.”

Laws Against Sextortion

In Florida, sextortion is governed by Statute 836.05, which prohibits an individual from maliciously threatening to:

  • Accuse someone of a crime
  • Injure another individual
  • Expose someone else to disgrace
  • Expose the secrets of another person
  • Allege that another person has a deformity or lacks chastity

In doing so, the individual must have intended to force the other person to give them money or other items of value, or to make the person do or refrain from doing something against their will.

Cases of Sextortion in Florida

Sextortion cases are on the rise, as more and more people have access to the internet and various devices that allow them to quickly and conveniently share pictures and videos with one another. In February of 2019, a student in Tampa was arrested for hacking into a woman’s social media account, obtaining explicit images, and threatening to share them with her family unless she messaged him. In a separate incident in April of 2019, a Florida woman gained access to a man’s phone and shared photos of his genitals on his social media accounts. She was charged with sextortion for maliciously exposing him to disgrace.

Penalties for Sextortion

Sextortion is charged as a second-degree felony. If convicted, a person could face a prison sentence of up to 15 years and a fine of up to $10,000.

Contact The Wiseman Law Firm Today for a Free Consultation

Our attorney has over 15 years of experience and an extensive understanding of the criminal justice system. When you retain our services, we will develop an innovative strategy to fight charges and work toward a favorable outcome in your case.

For legal representation from a lawyer committed to protecting your rights, call us at 407-420-4647 or contact us online.

Related Posts

Can My Conviction be Expunged or My Record Sealed?

Although expungement and sealing of a criminal record are similar, they apply to different circumstances. Expunging Your Record Expungement refers ...

VIEW ARTICLE

Can You Get Arrested for Reckless Driving?

Reckless driving in Florida is a serious traffic offense unlike a speeding ticket or running a red light. It denotes ...

VIEW ARTICLE

Can You Get Arrested for Speeding in Florida?

Generally, a speeding ticket is not a serious enough offense to warrant an arrest, but there are circumstances under which ...

VIEW ARTICLE
Address
Follow Us
Skip to content