Arrests Made in High School Sexting Scandal

The boy is accused of allegedly tweeting nude photos of girls. The girl is cited on a less-serious charge of distributing obscene matter

A 16-year-old boy was arrested and a 14-year-old girl was cited on Friday in connection with a high school sexting scandal in San Bernardino County, authorities said.

The 16-year-old boy was held at juvenile hall on a felony charge of obscene matter depicting a minor engaging in or simulating sexual conduct, police said. The 14-year-old girl was cited with a misdemeanor for allegedly distributing obscene matter, officials said.

The investigation began two weeks ago, when police were alerted to tweets and texts of nude photos of at least four underage girls from Etiwanda and Rancho Cucamonga high schools.

The boy, who attends Etiwanda High School, allegedly tweeted nude photos of the girls, who attend Rancho Cucamonga High School, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

The female students took the pictures of themselves and distributed them via text messages, according to investigators.

The male student then posted the images on Twitter, according to authorities.

The male student was suspended, according to school officials.

It was not immediately clear whether the boy obtained the images via text or some other method.

Federal law prohibits the "production, distribution, reception, and possession of an image of child pornography."

The legal definition of sexually explicit conduct does not require that the image depict a minor engaging in sexual activity.

The investigation is continuing.

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