Douglas Police, District Probe Middle Schoolers Sharing ‘Sexually Explicit Material’

The Douglas Police Department and local school district have announced a joint investigation into what they’re calling “the electronic sharing of sexually explicit material involving minors.”

The focus is on explicit material and involves middle school-aged students, the agencies said Thursday in a joint statement about the investigation.

The DPD and Converse County School District No. 1 (CCSD1) also are asking for parents to help by checking the cellphones and devices of their children.

“We are asking parents and guardians to partner with us during this time,” the statement says. “Please take a moment to check your child’s phone, messaging apps, and social media accounts for any inappropriate images or videos involving minors.”

If sexually explicit material or anything questionable is found, it’s important that people “not forward or redistribute it,” and instead contact Douglas police, the statement says.

Because the investigation is active and involves minor children, the agencies say they aren’t releasing more detailed information.

A Friday morning message for the Douglas police chief had not been returned by the time this story was published.

CCSD1 Superintendent Ryan Mackey said in a message to Cowboy State Daily that the statement is all the information that's being shared at this time, and the district will work with the DPD to "maximize the safety of our kids."

Disappointed, But Not Shocked

CCSD1 Board Chairman Shane Stinson said he and the board are aware of the situation involving Douglas Middle School students and that his understanding is it involves kids sharing material with each other.

“I believe that is the case,” he said.

He also said he’s disappointed by the situation but not surprised.

“Shocked? Probably not,” Stinson told Cowboy State Daily on Friday. “I know where society is right now, and it’s not a good place. It is disappointing, because it’s like, dang, I wish we were above that.”

He also said that if parents were really looking at what their children are viewing online, “I think they’d be outraged by what’s on those phones now.”

As for the school district’s policy on students having cellphones at school, Stinson said that’s a discussion the board has had before, and that the policy now isn’t an all-out ban. 

“I believe the kids cannot have their cellphones out in class, that they have to be put away,” he said, adding the focus is on not having the devices interfere with instruction time.

Stinson said he also knows separating kids from their phones seems to be an uphill battle these days.

“It’s hard even for adults,” he said. “We’re also glued to those things all the time.”

Banning cellphones at schools altogether so far hasn’t been on the table, Stinson said.

“I don’t know we’ve had that specific conversation. I’m pretty sure we haven’t had that conversation about not allowing them in the building at all,” he said. “I think we have a happy medium. 

“For a while it was a free-for-all, but now we have a pretty good policy on that.”

What The Law Says

In the eyes of the law in Wyoming, people sharing explicit photos and videos with each other are committing felony sexual exploitation of children, no matter their age.

The state statute that outlines those crimes revolving around child pornography — Section 6-4-303 — simply says “a person is guilty of sexual exploitation of a child” if certain thresholds are proven.

That means middle schoolers could potentially be charged with crimes for sharing explicit images and video. Whether they could be charged as juveniles or adults is a little more complicated in Wyoming law.

The Juvenile Justice Act — Section 14-6-203 — is clear that “juvenile court has exclusive jurisdiction in all cases … in which a minor who has not attained the age of 13 years is alleged to have committed a felony or a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for more than six months.”

Older than that, prosecutors have more leeway to decide how to pursue charges, if they choose to.

A ‘Serious’ Issue

The joint statement from Douglas police and the school district doesn’t mention whether there is potential for criminal charges from their investigation.

“Our shared goal is to protect the safety, dignity, and well-being of all students,” the statement says. “Situations like this can also serve as an important opportunity to talk with young people about responsible digital behavior, online safety, and the serious consequences of sharing inappropriate content.”

Greg Johnson can be reached at greg@cowboystatedaily.com.