‘Depraved’ catfish blackmailed scores of children into taking part in sex acts
The defendant pleaded guilty to manslaughter after one of his 12-year-old victims took her own life while being blackmailed by hm.
He pointed out that his client had pleaded guilty, had shown remorse and had no previous criminal record
That really should not be excusable for something this sick. I'm disturbed just by reading the article.
They don’t have capital punishment where the catfisher guy lives, and I’m generally not in favor of it. But in this case, I wish it were an option. I work with children around this age at my school every single day, and I'm so upset right now, I can't see straight.
From DailyMail court coverage:
Cimarron was told if she did not comply her photos would be sent to her father. In gut wrenching detail the prosecutor described how Cimarron pleaded with McCartney to stop. Even when she was visibly distressed and crying, he told her to 'dry her eyes' and involve her younger sister aged nine in a sex act.
Cimarron refused and said she would rather kill herself with McCartney cruelly launching a countdown and telling her: 'goodbye and good luck'.
The court heard Cimarron's sister later heard a popping sound that she thought was a balloon bursting.
This is a UK article, but the little girl, Cimarron, and her father, Ben Thomas, who both tragically took their own lives, were Americans and lived in a small town in West Virginia. Little Cimarron killed herself out of shame. 18 months later, the father killed himself because he couldn't get over her loss.
This is a horrible story, so read with caution. I wish I hadn't read it, but people need to know stuff like this happens so that they can better protect their own kids.