Authorities are investigating a “sexting ring” in Virginia involving over 100 teens and sexually explicit pictures of 14- and 15-year-olds on Instagram.
The investigation led to over 1,000 pictures and some videos being found of underage teens, which were posted to two different Instagram accounts. More than 100 teens spanning over six counties were involved, reports The NY Daily News.
“Out of those thousand images, there are some of them that are not sexually explicit, but are what we would call inappropriate or provocative — in their underwear,” Chief Deputy of the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office, Major Donald A. Lowe said. “It looks like the majority will be sexually explicit.”
A mother reportedly led police into the investigation after sensing suspicious activity from her daughter’s Instagram account in March. Authorities then found the two accounts that granted access only to those who shared an explicit photo.
According to Greater Alexandria, 24 cell phones have been confiscated thus far, from those involved in sending or receiving the pictures.
“I've talked to my daughter before and said, 'Don't ever do it, no matter who asks, no matter what,” the mother of a teenage girl at Louisa County High, Lori Lyons said, according to ABC. "I hope they learn how dangerous it is to do and how it can get into the wrong people's hands. ... They'll never do it again, hopefully.”