No charges against Colorado students in sexting scandal, says DA
Colorado high school and middle school students accused of exchanging hundreds of naked photos won’t face criminal charges, a district attorney announced Wednesday, but he warned of more severe consequences if it happens again.
Thom LeDoux, the district attorney for the state’s 11th Judicial District, said investigators did not find aggravating factors like adults’ involvement, the posting of graphic images to the Internet, bullying and related unlawful sexual contact.
And he added that, while the “decision does not condone or excuse the behavior of the individuals involved,” authorities wanted to avoid “the inequities in punishing just those that have come forward, have been identified, or have cooperated with the authorities.”
Moreover, he expressed hope that students and parents will learn from the ordeal. He noted presentations this week to high school and middle school students in Cañon City, about 115 miles south of Denver, as proof of educators’ and law enforcement’s efforts to drive those points home.
Still, those who don’t heed these lessons — and are found to still possess “any illegal materials of this nature, associated with this situation or otherwise” — could face charges. Parents of those students implicated in the scandal will receive “warning” letters noting their children’s alleged involvement.
“In other words, we expect and demand that the children of our community comply with the laws of this state, particularly in this area moving forward,” LeDoux said.
As the district attorney pointed out, the lack of charges doesn’t mean the implicated students won’t be punished by the school district. Cañon City High School already canceled one of its football games after “a large number” of players were implicated.
