State police: Social media sex case highlights dangers for Vermont kids - Bennington Banner

WATERBURY — Vermont authorities are reminding parents to warn children of the risks of connecting with adults over social media following a case involving a Washington County child and a high-risk registered sex offender from Lowell, Mass.

Chayanne Nieves, 23, was recently charged in U.S. District Court in Massachusetts with one count of receiving images of child sex abuse over Snapchat based on a criminal investigation that began with state police detectives at the Middlesex barracks.

Nieves is considered moderate to high-risk to reoffend, according to the Sex Offender Registry Board in Massachusetts.

Nieves communicated with the pre-teen Vermont girl on Snapchat between Nov. 30, 2020, and Dec. 3, 2020, and eventually threatened and extorted the child, according to Homeland Security Investigations, which later joined the multi-agency investigation.

Col. Matthew Birmingham, director of the Vermont State Police, said cases like Nieves continue to show that online predators are looking to exploit and victimize children.

"We encourage parents to have an open dialogue with their children about the dangers that can be present online and through apps on their devices," Birmingham said. "Parents also should be vigilant in keeping up with their child’s online communications, be aware of any concerning incidents or changes in behavior, and report any potential suspicious or criminal conduct to the authorities."

Nieves pressured the victim to send nude pictures of herself to him...



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