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Hudson Valley Man Accused Of Sexually Exploiting Three 13-Year-Olds Online Hudson Valley Man Accused Of Sexually Exploiting Three 13-Year-Olds Online
Hudson Valley Man Accused Of Sexually Exploiting Three 13-Year-Olds Online A 29-year-old Hudson Valley man was arrested for the sexual exploitation of three young teens online following an investigation by ICE's Homeland Security Investigative Division. Orange County resident Jonathan Weiss, also known as "Ian_Jameson," of Middletown, has been charged with communicating with three different underage victims online and directing them to take sexually explicit images and send them to Weiss. "Jonathan Weiss's alleged crimes are abhorrent and predatory," ," said Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York. "Using a common socia…

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by Joe Lombardi
Lifestyle
The Latest On How Social Media Affects Teenagers The Latest On How Social Media Affects Teenagers
The Latest On How Social Media Affects Teenagers Social media has both an upside and a downside for teenagers. In the pro column, platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat can be lifesavers for teens who feel isolated or marginalized—including LGBTQ+ teens and those struggling with mental health issues. Research shows positive effects of social media on friendships. But there are also plenty of cons associated with frequent use of social media: cyberbullying, negative self-image and body image, social media addiction, and less time spent doing healthy, real-world activities. Social Media and Teen Mental Health A large bo…

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Content Partner: Newport Academy
Police & Fire
'Illicit' Photos Of Area Female HS Students Shared On Snapchat, Police Say 'Illicit' Photos Of Area Female HS Students Shared On Snapchat, Police Say
'Illicit' Photos Of Area Female HS Students Shared On Snapchat, Police Say Police are working to find the person who posted private photos of some 30 female students on various Snapchat accounts. Town of Hyde Park Police Chief Robert Benson said his department received information on Sunday, Jan. 12, from several students at FDR High School. The students told officers that there were "illicit photos posted on Snapchat of students at FDR," Benson said. The Hyde Park Police Department along with Hyde Park School District officials, Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office and the state police Computer Crimes Unit are conducting a thorough investiga…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
Teen Charged With Threatening Shooting At High School's Homecoming Football Game Teen Charged With Threatening Shooting At High School's Homecoming Football Game
Teen Charged With Threatening Shooting At High School's Homecoming Football Game An area teenager is facing charges after allegedly posting a threat on social media stating that he was going to start shooting at the Minisink Valley High School homecoming game earlier this month. Louis Allen, 19, of Wallkill, was arrested on Friday, Oct. 11, the same date he allegedly posted the threat on Snapchat, police said. He’s since been charged with making a terroristic threat, a felony. According to school officials, parents were notified on the day of the game after a student reported the message to officials, prompting them to alert police. The threat was ultimately deemed not …

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Report Of Snapchat School Threat Investigated By Police In Rockland Report Of Snapchat School Threat Investigated By Police In Rockland
Report Of Snapchat School Threat Investigated By Police In Rockland Police agencies in Rockland County were called in to investigate a potential school shooting threat that was posted on social media. The Clarkstown Police Department said on Wednesday, May 5 that it received a report this week from a student in the Nyack School District of a possible school shooting that may take place at Nyack or North Rockland High School. The threat was reportedly posted via Snapchat. Investigators from the Clarkstown Police Detective Bureau contacted the Haverstraw Police Department in regards to the threat, and were informed that the threat was a re-post from an incide…

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by Zak Failla
News
Area High School Student's Racially Charged Social Media Post Draws Condemnation Area High School Student's Racially Charged Social Media Post Draws Condemnation
Area High School Student's Racially Charged Social Media Post Draws Condemnation A racially charged post on Snapchat by an area high school student that went viral has put the author in hot water with law enforcement. The incident began when the unidentified student at Minisink Valley High School allegedly took a photo of a female African-American classmate and then referred to her using the "N'" word in the post, and adding that she should be lynched, said News 12.  The girl's brother told News 12 the boy didn't have his sister's consent to take the photo or share it on Snapchat. He posted a video on social media to hold the student accountable. Minisink Valley S…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
Teen Faces Felony Charge For Making Terror Threat Against Hudson Valley School Teen Faces Felony Charge For Making Terror Threat Against Hudson Valley School
Teen Faces Felony Charge For Making Terror Threat Against Hudson Valley School A teenager facing a felony charge of making a terroristic threat after he allegedly made “credible threats” against his school on social media was back in court this week. Brendan Vaughan, 18, a student at Washingtonville High School in Orange County, made a post on Snapchat in June, stating that he needed a gun and questioning “what would happen if someone shot up the school tomorrow.” The threats led to a search of his home and subsequent arrest. “Investigators discovered evidence in the home, and obtained a statement from the suspect, supporting information that he was in the planning st…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Two Hudson Valley Teens Charged With Making Terror Threats Two Hudson Valley Teens Charged With Making Terror Threats
Two Hudson Valley Teens Charged With Making Terror Threats Two 15-year-old teens were charged with making terroristic threats and falsely reporting an incident after posting threats against schools in Port Jervis. The Port Jervis police said following an investigation there was no credible threat of violence regarding posts made by the two teens on Wednesday. According to police,  the department received numerous reports from the public and other emergency service agencies reporting a threatening post on the social media site “Snapchat” indicating a threat of violence will occur at a school.  Officers and detectives immediately conducted an invest…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
Ex-Fire Chief From Northern Westchester Charged With Lewd Acts With Minor Ex-Fire Chief From Northern Westchester Charged With Lewd Acts With Minor
Ex-Fire Chief From Northern Westchester Charged With Lewd Acts With Minor This story has been updated. A former fire chief in Northern Westchester is facing charges accusing him of lewd behavior with a minor and disseminating indecent material, according to the New York State Police. John M. Novohradsky, 53, of Queensbury, who volunteers with the Queensbury Central Fire Co., was arrested Thursday by state police on numerous charges following an investigation, state police said. A former Buchanan Fire chief, Novohradsky used Snapchat to send a naked picture of himself to the victim last month, then on a separate occasion, fondled the victim's genitals, said Troope…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
Ex-Area Coach Sentenced After Convincing Young Boy To Perform Oral Sex Ex-Area Coach Sentenced After Convincing Young Boy To Perform Oral Sex
Ex-Area Coach Sentenced After Convincing Young Boy To Perform Oral Sex A 20-year-old volunteer wrestling coach in the Hudson Valley accused of using SnapChat and Instagram to convince a young boy to perform oral sex on him has been sentenced to 13 years in prison. Marcus Stroud, of Nyack, was sentenced Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Cathy Seibel for receiving files containing sexually explicit images of a minor after pleading guilty in June, said Geoffrey S. Berman, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York.   “Marcus Stroud’s crime is the nightmare of every parent," said Berman. "Stroud used social media platforms to prey upon and expl…

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by Kathy Reakes