Alamance County deputies said they are seeing more cyber crime cases against minors on social media. Deputies have been investigating several cases since October. Many of them involve minors who have been victimized by false profiles on social networks, deputies said.
In one case, deputies have charged Joshua Shane Allen, 17, of Haw River, with cyberbullying. Deputies allege Allen took over a minor's social network profile and made derogatory postings. Allen then called the victim for purposes of coercion, deputies allege. Other alleged victims have also had harassing or threatening phone calls, deputies said. Some of the cases involve text messages requesting nude or revealing photos of juveniles, deputies said.
Deputies have charged Jimmy Robert Harris, 16, of Burlington, with preparing an obscene image for the purpose of dissemination. Deputies are preparing a juvenile petition against another suspect on a similar charge. At least one case under investigation may involve a suspect who is a registered sex offender, deputies said. Deputies are still investigating the cases and are asking parents to pay close attention to what their children are doing on social media.