Facebook Sex Scam: Anthony Stancl Gets 15 Years
The Wisconsin teen behind a Facebook sex scam, Anthony Stancl, was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
Stancl, 19, pleaded no contest to two felony charges over posing as a girl on Facebook to collect naked pictures and blackmail his male classmates for sex. He accepted a plea deal of felony charges of repeated sexual assault of a child and third-degree sexual assault in exchange for prosecutors dismissing 10 other charges, as previously discucssed.
According to the Associated Press, Stancl was sentenced 15 years and also must spend 13 years under extended supervision once he leaves prison.
As previously discussed, Stancl used the photos to blackmail seven boys between the ages of 15 and 18 for sex.
In general, blackmail is a crime involving a threat for purposes of compelling a person to do an act against his or her will, or for purposes of taking the person's money or property.
According to court documents, authorities found 300 nude photos and videos of underage males on his computer.
Under Stancl's plea deal, prosecutors dismissed charges that included second-degree sexual assault, child enticement and possession of child pornography. But all of the charges levied against Stancl could have left him facing up to 300 years in prison.
His case made national news highlighting the likely trauma suffered by the teen victims. It emphasized such dangers, and appears to point to an increasing need for parents to take an active role in addressing the issue.
Lastly, the Stancl case is an example of the growing trend of "sexting" and young people sending sexually-explicit messages on the Internet.
Stancl apologized to the victims and their families, the school and his own family.
- Wisconsin Teen Gets 15 Years For Facebook Sex Extortion Scam (Wired)
- Milwaukee Teen Faces 300 Years in Prison for Alleged Facebook Sex Schemes (FOX)
- What is "Sexting"? Nude or Risque Pics Sent by Teens Expose Them to Serious Legal and Social Consequences (FindLaw)