Police investigate sexting issue among Swansea high school students

SWANSEA (FOX 25 / MyFoxBoston.com) -- Swansea Police are investigating the report that students at Joseph Case High School were sending sexually explicit photos of themselves to other people.

The police department says they received a complaint about the alleged incidents of "sexting" involving the students several days ago.

Police say the "issue is more widespread than learned on its initial report" after investigating the complaint further.

"The case has expanded beyond what we initially thought it would be," said Swansea Police Lt. Gregory Ryan. "This has, apparently, been going on for years. There are a lot of pictures."

Police said their highest priority, as well as the highest priority of the school department, is the safety, protection, and privacy of the minors involved.

Swansea school officials said there was no indication that any of the incidents took place at any Swansea school or using school technology.

An investigation is being handled by the Swansea Police Department and Bristol County District Attorney's Office.

Police also said that high school students should remember that distributing pictures of minors is a felony.

Cox Media Group