Nez Perce Prosecutor Warns of 'Sextortion' Targeting Minors

Authorities see rise in predators using social media to extort nude photos from children

Mar. 24, 2026 at 8:07pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Nez Perce County Prosecutor's Office is raising awareness about a troubling trend of 'sextortion' cases involving the sexual exploitation of minors in the region. Predators are using social media to lure children, gain their trust, and then extort them for additional photos or money by threatening to release compromising images.

Why it matters

Sextortion is a growing threat to children's online safety, with predators increasingly using sophisticated tactics to target and exploit vulnerable minors. This issue has significant implications for the Lewiston community, where the school district and law enforcement are working to educate families and protect students.

The details

According to the prosecutor's office, over the past several years they have seen a dramatic rise in sextortion cases. Predators create a sense of comfort with minors on social media, then convince them to send nude or non-nude photos. The predators then use AI to manipulate the images and attempt to extort the children for more photos or money by threatening to release the compromising material.

  • The Nez Perce County Prosecutor's Office has noticed a rise in sextortion cases over the last several years.

The players

Nez Perce County Prosecutor's Office

The local prosecutor's office that is raising awareness about the sextortion threat to minors in the region.

Lewiston School District

The local school district that is deeply concerned about the online safety of its students and is working with the community to educate families.

Tim Sperber

The superintendent of the Lewiston School District who is urging parents to have conversations with their children about the dangers of social media and online predators.

Justin Coleman

The Nez Perce County Prosecutor who is a parent himself and is encouraging all parents to have open discussions with their children about online safety and the risks of sextortion.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The Lewiston School District is deeply concerned about the safety of our students when it comes to the dangers they face in the on-line world. Please have conversations with your children of all ages if they access social media and other sites that could lead to predators contacting and taking advantage of them. We know that sextortion is real and that our students are being targeted. I am asking for the entire community to please help all of our kids understand the importance of proper on-line communication.”

— Tim Sperber, Lewiston School District Superintendent

“As a parent myself, I constantly worry about predators using these new tools to target kids. I've had conversations with my boys many times about being careful with what they say and send electronically and also not trusting individuals they talk to through social media, especially someone they don't know and I would encourage all parents to do the same.”

— Justin Coleman, Nez Perce County Prosecutor

What’s next

If a child has been a victim of sextortion or a parent wants to educate their child, they are encouraged to contact the Lewiston Police Department and speak to a School Resource Officer.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing threat of sextortion, where predators exploit children through social media, and the critical need for parents, schools, and law enforcement to work together to educate families and protect vulnerable minors in the community.