Threats to Reveal That Somebody is a Sex Worker
My question involves criminal law for the state of:
A very dear friend of mine lives in Eastern Europe. Her country has very high unemployment and the average citizen makes under $500 a month before taxes. I am not trying to excuse what she does, just explaining. You could say that she is an online stripper. A few years ago, a US citizen gained her confidence and she let him know about her Facebook page. He used that info to track down her family and friends and proceeded to threaten to expose her work (no pun intended) if she didn't perform sexual acts for him on Skype, which, no surprise, he recorded. This weekend he got upset with her and threatened to ruin her personal life if she didn't comply with his demands. So my question is: are there any US Codes that he might be charged with violating? I understand that she would probably need to come here to file charges and that, itself, could accomplish his threats. But the threat that he could be charged might be enough to get him to back off. So, does anybody know of any crimes that he might be committing? Thanks in advance.
Re: Looking for Specific Statute(S) the Perp Might Be Violating
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Boerman
So, does anybody know of any crimes that he might be committing?
Probably extortion.
But we would need to know what US state he is located in to be more specific.
She probably wouldn't need to come to the US just to report a crime but would likely have to appear if he is prosecuted and goes to trial.
Re: Looking for Specific Statute(S) the Perp Might Be Violating
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adjusterjack
Probably extortion.
But we would need to know what US state he is located in to be more specific.
She probably wouldn't need to come to the US just to report a crime but would likely have to appear if he is prosecuted and goes to trial.
I'm pretty sure he lives in Florida.
Re: Looking for Specific Statute(S) the Perp Might Be Violating
It might also be argued that the extortion actually occurred where the threat was received (i.e. Eastern Europe somewhere).
The victim is free to contact the law enforcement agency where the suspect lives and see if there is anything they can or will do for her, but I would not expect much.
As intimated, IF she chooses to pursue criminal charges and it goes to court, she will be expected to come here to testify. The fact that it will then be a matter of public record would accomplish the threat by itself.
Unfortunately, the victim here chose to engage in the kind of work that could come out and might be embarrassing.
Re: Looking for Specific Statute(S) the Perp Might Be Violating
Local law enforcement isn't likely to be interested in this. It's more likely that the FBI would be.
Re: Looking for Specific Statute(S) the Perp Might Be Violating
I doubt the FBI would get involved. The dollar amount for FBI extortion cases is quite high, and since this involves a private showing of what the victim does online for a fee, the dollar value is likely low. But, the victim could always give them a call. But, again, theres the question of jurisdiction.
Re: Looking for Specific Statute(S) the Perp Might Be Violating
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Boerman
I'm pretty sure he lives in Florida.
Here's the Florida extortion statute:
https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2011/836.05