OHIO (WLIO) - Ohio has now made sextortion a felony offense and gives more rights to the parents of the victims. One of 30 bills that Governor Mike DeWine signed into law this week was "Braden's Law."
One of 30 bills that Governor Mike DeWine signed into law this week was "Braden's Law."
The bill was named after a central Ohio teen who took his own life after being extorted for money to prevent pictures he sent to who he thought was a teenage girl. Following his death, it took his family 10 months to get information off his phone to see what led up to his suicide. The new law gives law enforcement more teeth to go after the people who try to extort the money and requires parents to get access to their deceased child's phone and social accounts within 30 days.
People convicted under Braden's Law can serve up to three years in prison and pay a $10,000 fine.
"Basically we're increasing the penalties for sextortion, and this is something that has been needed for a long time, and I think that this is a good bill, and the family here, they're deserving of this, and so is the memory of Braden," stated Andrew Brenner, Ohio State Senator.
If the victim is a minor, elderly, or disabled, the sentence can go up to 11 years in prison.
People convicted under Braden's Law can serve up to three years in prison and pay a $10,000 fine. If the victim is a minor, elderly, or disabled, the sentence can go up to 11 years in prison.
