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Teens sentenced for nude photos on cell phone

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By Eric Schwartzberg, Staff Writer Updated 12:28 PM Monday, May 11, 2009

Two Mason teens were sentenced Monday, May 11, in Warren County Juvenile Court for their role in nude photos of minors found on a cell phone.

Judge Mike Powell sentenced a 15-year-old boy to 30 days house arrest, counseling and 100 hours community service to be completed prior to Sept. 1 after the teen admitted he was in possession of a nude photo of a 15-year-old girl on his cell phone.

He also stipulated the boy not use a cell phone during a 30 day probationary period and forbid him from being in contact with the girl during that time.

Prior to sentencing, defense attorney Charlie Rittgers told Powell the boy was never in trouble before and was “remorseful” for his actions. “He is scared to death at being here,” Rittgers told the judge. “He did not realize that what seemed to be an innocent act on his part could have ramifications.”

Powell reprimanded the boy, who slouched in his seat during part of the proceedings and neglected to add “sir” or “your honor” when answering “yes” or “no” questions.

“I don’t know if your presentation in the courtroom today is just your normal demeanor or not, but I find your conduct marginally respectful and if I see you again I’m going to recall the way in which you presented yourself in here to me today,” Powell said.

Also Monday morning, Powell sentenced a 15-year-girl who admitted March 12 in juvenile court to sending a nude photo of herself to the boy via cell phone.

Powell sentenced her to counseling and 100 hours community service, forbid her from cell phone use during a 30 day probationary period and told her not to have contact with the boy during that time.

He also required her to prepare an assignment on teen motivation to engage in behavior commonly termed as “sexting” and its consequences, then present a report before a four-person court clinic staff panel.

Powell said in both cases, the state would drop charges if the conditions of probation were fulfilled.

The boy’s cell phone was confiscated Feb. 25 in a Mason High School classroom because school policy prohibits the use of such devices by students.

Police said an administrator attempting to silence the torrent of text messages being sent to the phone flipped it open to turn it off, inadvertently displaying a nude photo of the girl.

The administrator turned the phone into police, who later found another 15-year-old girl’s nude photo, this one captured by the boy’s cell phone, police said.

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