Ohio Rape Victim Threatened Online; 2 Girls Arrested

By Andrew Lu on March 19, 2013 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

Two girls were arrested for making online threats against the teenage Ohio rape victim.

Just one day after two Steubenville high school football players were convicted of raping the 16-year-old victim, two girls were arrested on suspicion of making social media threats against the accuser, reports The Associated Press.

The real-life mean girls, ages 15 and 16, were said to have posted threatening messages on Facebook and Twitter against the victim. The two are now being held in juvenile detention.

The 16-year-old girl was charged with aggravated menacing for allegedly tweeting that the accuser ripped her family apart, and then making threats to kill the rape victim.

The 15-year-old girl was charged with menacing conduct for a Facebook post that threatened physical harm against the accuser, reports the AP.

Generally, menacing in Ohio means that the defendant knowingly causes the victim to believe that the defendant will cause physical harm to her. This crime is considered a misdemeanor. Because the younger girl only threatened physical harm, she was charged with this offense.

But under Ohio law, aggravated menacing is different, as it typically causes the victim to believe that serious physical harm will result. This is considered a felony. Because the older girl allegedly threatened to kill the victim, she faces a more serious charge.

Both girls are scheduled to appear before a juvenile court judge.

After Sunday's guilty verdict for high school football players Trent Mays and Ma'Lik Richmond, prosecutors indicated that they would continue their investigation and potentially bring criminal charges against others involved. This could include other students, parents, and even school workers and coaches. The two football players have been sentenced to juvenile detention and can potentially be held until they reach the age of 21.

If found guilty, the two girls accused of making threats to the victim may also face juvenile detention.

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