More charges have been filed in the aftermath of the Steubenville rape case, and this time authorities are going after two teenaged girls for making threats against the victim of the attack by two Steubenville High School football players. Ironically, prosecutors said the threats were made using social media.
Social media was a key component in the trial of the Ma'lik Richmond and Trent Mays; both were found guilty of juvenile charges in the rape of a 16-year old fellow student during an alcohol-fueled party. They were sentenced to the custody of juvenile incarceration for at least one year, or until 21 years of age, and registered as sex offenders.
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(Attorney General's Office) Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced tonight that two teenage girls were arrested late this afternoon on menacing charges for threatening the victim in the recent Steubenville rape trial.
The threats were made via social media.
"Let me be clear. Threatening a teenage rape victim will not be tolerated. If anyone makes a threat verbally or via the internet, we will take it seriously, we will find you, and we will arrest you," said Attorney General DeWine.
Detectives with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office alerted the Attorney General's Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) to the online threats soon after yesterday's sentencing hearing concluded.
The Steubenville girls, ages 15 and 16, were both transported to the Jefferson County Juvenile Detention Center upon arrest.
The 16-year-old is charged with one misdemeanor count of aggravated menacing for threatening the life of the victim on Twitter. The 15-year-old is charged with one misdemeanor count of menacing for threatening bodily harm to the victim on Facebook.
In addition to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, those with the Steubenville Police Department and Jefferson County Prosecutor's Office assisted with the investigation.
