Virginia Man Sentenced To 50 Years In Prison For Snapchat Child 'Sextortion' Ring
A 30-year-old Virginia man has been sentenced to 50 years in federal prison for orchestrating a Snapchat "sextortion" ring that targeted children.
Joseph Isaiah Woodson, Jr. was convicted of using the internet to target and extort children through sexual exploitation and pornographic offenses.
At a trial in September 2019, he was convicted of three counts of production of child pornography, one count of distribution of child pornography, one count of sending extortionate threats, and one count of conspiracy.
Woodson, Jr. was found guilty of persuading, inducing, enticing and coercing numerous minor female children across the U.S. to engage in sexually explicit conduct.
He infiltrated the Snapchat accounts of these children by pretending to be one of their friends on social media, the U.S. Attorney's Office for Southern Florida stated.
Once given the passwords, he took over the victims' Snapchat accounts and demanded the children send him sexually explicit videos and images of themselves using the web-based texting application Kik in order to get back and regain control of their accounts.
Woodson, Jr. conspired with others to systematically extort and exploit children using the internet.
"Child predators beware - anyone who uses social media and the internet to target and extort children through sexual exploitation and pornographic offenses risks spending the rest of their lives in prison," stated U.S. Attorney Ariana Fajardo Orshan.
"We implore the community to help us protect our loved ones by monitoring our children's social media accounts and reporting all suspected offenses to law enforcement. The U.S. Attorney's Office stands united with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners to root out child exploitation."
George L. Piro, special agent in charge at FBI Miami, said: "Joseph Isaiah Woodson, Jr. is a menace who preyed on the most vulnerable among us, children.
"Using social media, Woodson would befriend, then coerce numerous minor female victims to send him sexually explicit videos and images. His sentence of 50 years in prison should serve as a warning to others involved in sextortion.
"Rooting out this type of crime is a cooperative effort. I commend the hard work and professionalism of our partners including; Davie Police Department, Plantation Police Department, Coral Springs Police Department, Fairfax City Police Department, Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office, Homeland Security Investigations, Loudoun County Sheriff's Office, U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command and FBI Miami's Child Exploitation Task Force."
"It is through partnerships such as this, that we are able to extend the arm of law enforcement to ensure predators such as Joseph Isaiah Woodson, Jr. are no longer a threat to our children," stated Davie Police Chief Dale Engle.
"We are grateful here at the Davie Police Department that the resources needed were made available to see this case through to a conclusion."
