Crime

Department Of Justice Investigating Sex Tape Leaks; May File Criminal Charges

ST. THOMAS -- The Virgin Islands Department of Justice is investigating the rash of sex tape leaks occurring in the territory in recent days and weeks. Attorney General Claude Walker said the department will determine whether it will file criminal charges against perpetrators, as the sex tapes -- showing explicit sexual content of local individuals -- have long-lasting consequences not only for the victims of such leaks, but for their families, including children. "We do have applicable statutes to prosecute offenders," Mr. Walker said of the videos and images being leaked on social media, including Facebook, Snapchat, WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. The attorney general cited Title 14 of Virgin Islands Code 1021, called the Indecency Statute, which Mr. Walker says defines the territory's indecency laws as well as obscene material, and what is considered shameful depictions of sex that goes beyond customary limits. The laws also address the electronic transfer of obscene material...