Teens and children have a certain fondness for engaging in risky behavior in Denver, Jefferson, and Adams County. Many are aware of the dangers of sexting, which can lead to serious sex crime charges like Sexual Exploitation of a Child (CRS 18-6-403), or bring about other internet sex crimes like Internet Luring of a Child (CRS 18-3-306) or Internet Sexual Exploitation of a Child (CRS 18-3-405.4). Recently, there have been complaints in Weld, Larimer, Douglas, and Arapahoe County from parents and law enforcement about a new smart phone app that seems to bypass many precautions. Inappropriate content can be sent to thousands, and hidden from parents automatically.

Snap chat is a new smart phone app gaining popularity among teens and young adults. Snapchat may seem exciting and somewhat safe. Users take a picture and then send it out to their followers and strangers alike. The appeal to this app is that the picture only appears for a few seconds and then is deleted. District Attorneys and police officers in cities like Littleton, Centennial, and Broomfield worry that this app is perfectly suited to child predators because the main focus is on rotating images that are only available for a short amount of time. Children, teens, and juveniles can send provocative pictures of themselves. They think they are perfectly safe to “sext” their boyfriend or girlfriend, because they know the image will disappear. This same feature enables adults to send risqué pictures as well to a huge fan base of possibly thousands of people, some of whom may be juveniles.

What minors and teenagers don't think about is that the person receiving the picture has the ability to take a screen shot and make the material permanent. This is very dangerous because the “safety” of taking those pictures is gone. People think that since the picture will only be available for a few seconds, it is safer and they may be bolder with the pictures they decide to send. If a screen shot of a picture exists, these children or adults may face criminal charges that are related to child pornography if the person sending, receiving, or depicted in the picture is underage.

If police contact you regarding felony Sexual Exploitation of a Child (CRS 18-6-403) charges, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the experienced criminal defense attorneys at the O'Malley Law Office at 303-830-0880. Together, we can protect your future.