Delaware County Review

State Representative Brian Lorenz (R-Powell) has proposed a new bill to categorize sexual extortion as a criminal offense in Ohio. Sexual extortion, commonly referred to as sextortion, involves the manipulation of individuals into sharing explicit images of themselves. Perpetrators then threaten to publicize these images unless they receive payment from the victims. Predominantly, sextortion criminals target individuals under the age of 18.

The proposed legislation, named Braden's Law, is inspired by a tragic incident involving a victim of sextortion in Lorenz's district. Braden Markus, an Olentangy High School student, was manipulated by an individual posing as a 15-year-old girl on social media. After being coerced into exchanging inappropriate photos, Braden was extorted for $1,800 under the threat of having his photo released on social media. Unfortunately, Braden took his own life merely 27 minutes after being contacted by the sextortionist.

"This is truly a tragedy," stated Lorenz. "Braden was a bright student that was manipulated and pushed to the point where he felt he had no other option but to end his life. We can never let something like this happen again in Ohio and we must make sexual extortionists think twice before committing this crime in our state."

Braden's Law seeks to criminalize sextortion and grant parents or guardians access to the phone or device of a deceased minor through the Court of Common Pleas within 30 days. The legislation also aims to provide immunity for victims who have been coerced into sending explicit images and for telecommunication carriers involved unintentionally. Furthermore, it includes provisions for compensating victims.

As of now, the legislation has not been assigned a bill number or allocated to a House committee.