Texas Man Charged in Naperville Sextortion Case

Cody D. Ratliff, a 39-year-old man from Kerrville, Texas, was arrested for allegedly engaging in a 'sextortion' scheme involving a teenager from Naperville, Illinois. The teen reported sending explicit images to someone posing as a 16-year-old girl, who later threatened to distribute the photos unless payments were made. Despite initial compliance, the suspect demanded more money, prompting an investigation that led to Ratliff's arrest and charges of felony intimidation. Naperville Police Chief Jason Arres highlighted the case as part of a growing trend, noting that nearly half of the 27 sextortion cases investigated in the last two years involved juveniles. Authorities urge parents to talk to their children about online safety and encourage victims to report such incidents to the police. Resources and support are available from organizations like the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the FBI.