Make wishtv.com your home page

16 high school students charged with sexual exploitation of a minor

GREENBRIER, Tenn. (WKRN) – More than a dozen students were charged with sexual exploitation of a minor.

The chief of the Greenbrier Police Department, K.D. Smith, confirmed the charges came after the students were sending texts with sexually explicit photos. Chief Smith said the students charged are those who shared the photos.

“The district is cooperating with police in the investigation. Students involved have been appropriately dealt with through the disciplinary measures of our district,” said Mike Davis, director of Robertson County Schools.

Chief Smith said some of the students who received the sexually explicit pictures told school administrators. They told the school resource officer who is also a Greenbrier Police Officer.

Chief Smith said after a month long investigation 16 greenbrier students, all under the age of 18, have been charged with sexual exploitation of a minor. He said it’s the first time he has come across an investigation like this.

In Canon City, Colorado there has been a sexting scandal at a high school alleging as many as 500 teens exchanged photos of naked students.

Chief Smith said he spoke with the Canon City Police chief Friday to come up with a plan to help train officers and educate parents, teachers and students.

“Everyone was talking about it,” said Kara Roose, a freshman at Greenbrier High School. She attends the school with her older sister Kelsey who is a senior. They said they had nothing to do with the sexting incident but know some of the victims.

“So many people were called up to the office and there was lots of drama,” said Kelsey Roose.

“It’s not something to be proud of, to be a Bobcat, when you hear these things going on in your hometown so I hope nothing like this happens again,” said Kara Roose.

Chief Smith said once he and the Canon City Police chief come up with a plan he will share it with the district attorney’s office and the school district.