Suspect arrested in Instagram sextortion investigation 3 years after teen’s death

Editor’s note: This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 to connect with the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

STREETSBORO, Ohio. (WOIO/Gray News) - An arrest has been made in connection to the death of an Ohio high school student who died by suicide after becoming a victim of sextortion.

James, 17, died Nov. 19, 2022, after being targeted on Instagram.

Streetsboro police, along with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and Homeland Security Investigations, said a man in his early 20s is now in jail.

In 2022, the 17-year-old thought he was exchanging photos with a 19-year-old girl who reached out to him on Instagram.

James’ mother Tamia says after the encounter, in less than 24 hours her son received more than 200 text messages and dozens of calls from what she believes was a group of people saying they were going to ruin his life if he didn’t pay them thousands of dollars.

Through the investigation, they tracked the IP address and were eventually able to connect him to the crime.

Police said the suspect will stand trial and could face more than 10 years in prison.