The Rice County Sheriff’s office is reporting a disturbing trend centered around teenagers and preteens. According to a statement issued in March by the county the number of reported sextortion cases involving minors doubled in 2023 from 2022, and the report rate is already higher in 2024.
The statement said most cases involve teenagers and younger children who accept a friend request through social media. The person making the request then coerces them into sending inappropriate or explicit photos of themselves, and suddenly they are in a situation where they are being blackmailed into sending more photos, videos, and even money. When victims fail to comply with demands, blackmailers threaten to send the images to the victim’s friends, family and school.
Captain Nathan Budin of the Sheriff’s Department said the situation is becoming more and more common.
“Sometimes they’ll use leverage such as photographs. We always encourage and try to repeat this over and over, do not send inappropriate photos. Once those kids send an inappropriate picture, then that’s a leverage for the predator. And they say I want more. I want this. I expect this or I’m going to spread this to everybody.”
Sgt. Trevor Peterson of the Sheriff’s Department said in the statement that the blackmailers are generally adults who troll for victims using social media apps or online gaming platforms. Captain Budin said the predators will look for a person who is vulnerable. Once they find a weakness, they will do everything they can to exploit it.
The problem is certainly not unique to Rice County. According to the statement, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children received nearly 187,000 reports of online enticement, which is an increase of 323% between 2021 and 2023.
Rice County Investigator Matt Slinger, who is part of the Rice County Sexual Assault Multidisciplinary Response Team, or SMART, said he has made several presentations to local students about the problem, and after each of those presentations, several students have told him that they have been victims.
The county offers resources to help victims, but it also advises parents that they must be more vigilant with their kids and their use of online devices.
Victims of sextortion or anyone who is asked for help by a victim, should not delete the app, the account of the perpetrator or the images. Each of those things, according to the statement, will improve law enforcement’s chance of finding the perpetrator.
Should a situation like this arise, the victim, or the victim’s family is advised to contact law enforcement immediately.
NAFRS looks for as many as six new firefighters
The Northfield Area Fire and Rescue Service will host a recruiting open house tomorrow. After several retirements over the last few years and more planned for 2024, NAFRS is now accepting applications for 6 new positions.
The positions are paid on call, meaning firefighters are paid for the calls to which they respond. According to the job posting, among the requirements to be a firefighter with NAFRS, is the ability to report for at least 30% of annual fire calls and attend Monday evening fire drills, meetings and training sessions. Pay and benefits include $25.00 per hour. The positions offer an excellent annual pension, along with fully paid Firefighter-EMT-training tuition and expenses.
Fire Chief Tom Nelson has said that being a firefighter is an excellent way to give back to one’s community.
“Find a way, no matter where you land, to give back to the community. The fire department is a really good way to do that without having to make a huge full-time commitment. You can do something totally different from your job. And everybody brings strengths that make the larger team. No, we don’t want everyone to be exactly the same or you don’t have any team. So, take a look.”
Candidates must be 18 years of age, possess a high school diploma or GED, hold a valid and current Minnesota State Driver’s License, have the ability to read and speak English, and meet physical fitness standards. While it is not a requirement, the post does mention that candidates who live within a ten-minute radius of the firehouse are preferred.
Nelson said those interested should bring their families to the open house with them. Current firefighters and their families will be on hand to discuss what the commitment looks like and what can be expected for those who are hired.
Applications will be accepted until May 13th, and physical testing and interviews will be conducted throughout June. Offers will be made in early July contingent on background, psychology and fit-for-duty checks. The new fire fighters will be officially hired on August 5th.
To find the full job posting, hiring timeline, and application, visit nafrs.org and click on the employment tab. Paper applications are also available in the fire station lobby.
The Recruiting Open house is scheduled for tomorrow morning and will run from 9am-Noon.
Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with Northfield Area Fire Chief Tom Nelson can be heard here
KYMN Daily News 5/3/24
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
