Arrest Made in ‘Sextortion’ Case That Brought about 17-Yr-Previous’s Suicide

San Jose police have made an arrest months after a teenage boy took his life — this after being extorted for cash when he despatched a nude photograph to somebody he thought was a teen woman.

SJPD introduced Monday 25-year-old Jonathan Kassi was taken into custody in Los Angeles to face prices of extortion and tried disorderly conduct … associated to posting {a photograph} or recording with out consent.

The cops are saying Kassi is related to the dying of 17-year-old Ryan Final — who died by suicide in Might when somebody he’d been chatting with on-line demanded he ship them $5,000 upon receiving an intimate image they’d solicited from him or else the pics would go public.

Ryan apparently believed he was speaking with a lady his age — and when a photograph was despatched to him that particular person requested for the same bare photograph in return, which he despatched.

As soon as the fraudster received the photograph of Ryan … he demanded cash on the specter of releasing the image publicly amongst his family and friends members. Ryan did not have wherever close to $5,000 however he did pay $150. It was at this level Ryan panicked and died by suicide.

Amid their investigation — which ended up together with the FBI — legislation enforcement mentioned they believed this was occurring on a bigger scale … the place crooks from abroad have been tricking younger folks into sending compromising materials, after which extorting them for fast money.

The San Jose Crimes Towards Kids Process Power mentioned they have been wanting into doable ties to a West African monetary extortion scheme … which may additionally hook up with Southeast Asia.

The cops, to this point, have stopped wanting explicitly connecting Kassi to any larger felony enterprise — however we’re positive extra data is because of be launched as the method performs out. They’re saying they think Kassi may’ve victimized different minors as effectively by means of a number of profiles.

The identical day Kassi was arrested, the FBI and Dept. of Homeland Safety issued a PSA about this phenomenon — saying it was occurring all throughout the nation (largely to boys) and that it had resulted in additional than a dozen suicides. Scary stuff, to say the least.