Chautauqua youths caught “sexting”

Pornographic pictures reportedly being sent on cell phones landed seven people in trouble in the southern tier.

Technology and it's problems are catching up in Chautauqua County.

Chautauqua County Sheriff Joseph Gerace said, "You gotta think about what you are doing. This is insanity."

Sheriff Joseph Gerace says the insanity is a new teen phenomenon called 'sexting.'

Seven friends, mostly Chautauqua County teens, were recently arrested for taking nude or semi-nude pictures of themselves and sending them to each other.

Sheriff Gerace said, "Well my message to young people is don't do it, not because it's illegal, but it's gonna hurt you forever. It doesn't go away."

Sexting is definitely not uncommon. A national survey revealed that one in five teens admitted they sent or recieved naked photos over the cell phone.

The seven local individuals now face non-felony child endangerment and obsenity charges.

But teens in other states have been dealt with more harshly. If convicted, some might have to register as a sex offender.

The sheriff defended police intervention, citing the recent sexting suicide of 18-year-old Jessica Logan of Cincinnati.

Sheriff Gerace said, "What she did, she shared pictures with a boyfriend and he shared it with as many people as he could and she couldn't deal with it."

The sheriff says his message isn't only to young people, but their parents too.

Sheriff Gerace said, "I'm saying to other parents, make sure you know what other kids are doing. That means pick up the phone. You're paying for it.  You gotta know what they are doing, and who they are talking to."

The sheriff declined to elaborate on the specifics of the case, but did confirm that a parent discovered the images on her child's cell phone.

Matthew Lahnen and Wade Vosburgh, both 20 years old, are scheduled to return to town court in the Town of Sheridan next month.

The five teens will be dealt with in family court.