Four female eighth graders from Riverside Middle School were charged by Greer Police with possession of child pornography. A 14-year-old male middle-school student was charged by the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office with criminal sexual conduct with a minor, second degree.
According to reports, four female eighth graders from Riverside Middle School were charged by Greer Police with possession of child pornography. A 14-year-old male middle-school student was charged by the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office with criminal sexual conduct with a minor, second degree.
The child pornography charges reportedly stem from a Facetime video chat that showed a sexual assault on an intoxicated female middle-school student. The video chat was recorded and shared with other students, resulting in the child pornography charges.
A Riverside Middle School student saw the recording and reported it to school officials.
The RMS students involved have been suspended and recommended for expulsion, according to a statement from the district.
According to reports, law-enforcement officers had seized as many as 10 cell phones and were interviewing those involved early this week.
According to news outlets, students from Mauldin Middle School and Ralph Chandler Middle School also disseminated the recording.
The investigation is ongoing and law enforcement officials reportedly have indicated more charges are expected.
The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, Greer Police Department and Greenville County Schools each released statements Wednesday afternoon.
The Greer Police Department released the following statement regarding the case:
“Four students from Riverside Middle School have been charged with Possession of Child Pornography.
“According to the incident report, an alleged sexual assault occurred over the weekend at a private residence in Greenville County and the victim was under the influence. A FaceTime call was done between several students and another student video recorded the FaceTime conversation. The content of the conversation and video is not being released at this time. One of the students from Riverside Middle sent the video to others.
“On Monday May 16th, some students at Riverside Middle began showing the video to other students. One student saw the video and reported it to the school’s 8th grade counselor. Several students have been interviewed and approximately 10 cell phones have been seized. Interviews are still being conducted. “
The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office is working part of the case and the Greenville County School District is monitoring and handling school discipline.
The Greenville County Sheriff's Office statement follows:
"Many of you have inquired about the Greenville County School District and Greer Police Department’s releases regarding middle school students being charged with disseminating child pornography. The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office is currently working a sexual assault case that is in relation to the case the Greer Police Department is working.
“So far in our investigation, we have charged a 14-year-old with Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor 2nd Degree. This is still an active investigation and no further details will be released until it is complete."
Greenville County Schools released the following statement:
“Four students from Riverside Middle School have been charged by Greer Police with Possession of Child Pornography. The four students have been suspended and will be recommended for expulsion.
“According to the Greer Police report, an alleged sexual assault occurred on Saturday, May 14th at a private residence in Greenville County. A FaceTime call was made from the residence by several students. The student who received the call recorded it and later sent the video to others.
“On Monday May 16th, some students at Riverside Middle began showing the video to other students. One student saw the video and reported it to a school official.
“The parents of any students who we are aware were directly exposed to the images or video have been contacted, and those students have received counseling and support from our school counselors and staff. Support services will continue to be available to any students who indicate they have a need.
This is a difficult and complex issue for our school community to process. We encourage parents to discuss with their children the importance of Internet safety.”