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Written by: E. George
Published March 4, 2024 @ 7:30 PM ET
COLUMBIA COUNTY, Ga. – A Columbia County Sheriff’s deputy interviewed a woman at her Martinez residence regarding a theft by extortion. The victim explained that she met someone on a social media app in December 2023 who has since threatened to release provocative photographs of her unless she paid them.
She said the person told her his name was “John.” After they connected, she deleted the app, and they began text messaging on their phones.
She never met “John” in person but sent him “multiple pictures” of her “wearing only undergarments or less.” She messaged him on February 23, 2024, stating that she “no longer wanted to have any contact with him.”
She attempted to block him, but “he was using an email address, and messages were still getting through.” That same day, he messaged her requesting money or he would release the photos “to her family and her job.”
She complied and sent him $100 via Cash App. However, a short time later, she began receiving messages from “Mack Smith,” who said he was “John’s” friend and claimed to possess copies of the photographs as well.
“Smith” asked her to unblock “John” or “they would make a video of her and send it to India.” She told the deputy she wished to prosecute if the suspects could be identified.
This case is pending.
Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]
I responded to the listed address and made contact with [REDACTED]. [REDACTED] stated she met someone that said their name was “John” on a social media app (NOD) in December 2023.
She said she deleted the app and they began messaging on their phones. [REDACTED] stated they never met and were only talking through messages but she sent him multiple pictures.
[REDACTED] said she was wearing only undergarments or less in some of the pictures. [REDACTED] stated she messaged John on February 23, 2024 and advised him she no longer wanted to have any contact with him.
[REDACTED] said she attempted to block John but he was using an email address and messages were still getting through. [REDACTED] stated John messaged her on February 23, 2024 that he wanted her to send him money or he would release the pictures of her to her family and her job.
[REDACTED] said she sent $100 using her cash app then she began receiving messages from “Mack Smith” who said he was a friend of John and he also had copies of the pictures. [REDACTED] stated Mack Smith wanted her to unblock John or they would make a video of her and send it to India. [REDACTED] stated she will prosecute if a subject can be identified.
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