Sexual extortion measure moving through W.Va. Legislature

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) – Victims of sexual extortion know the trauma all too well, although others may have never heard of that term.

As the parents of the late 15-year-old Bryce Tate know, however, it can lead to deadly consequences.

Adam and Amanda Tate, who live in Nitro, West Virginia, bluntly state that their son, Bryce, who took his own life in November, was really a murder victim.

Inspired by Bryce’s story, lawmakers in West Virginia want to do something about it.

Investigators said Bryce, a Nitro High School sophomore, was caught in a trap known as sextortion, where the extortionist uses private messages to create a false identity.

The extortionist then feigns romantic or sexual interest, often acquiring compromising pictures and video, before turning the tables and threatening to publicly expose the images unless the person pays up.

West Virginia state Sen. Mike Woelfel, D-W.Va., has pushed legislation on sextortion for several years now.

Woelfel got a bill passed last year, but a story like Bryce’s hit home for so many people, including Del. Andy Shamblin, R-Kanawha, who personally knows the Tate family.

Shamblin sponsored another bill that would create even tougher laws, helping police and prosecutors go after those who prey upon unsuspecting people.

The bill was unanimously passed by the House, and Woelfel fully expects the Senate to move it forward, eventually getting it to Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s desk. He said kids like Bryce are often the victims, but they’re not alone. Bryce’s mom and dad hope their son’s story prevents other families from ever dealing with such a tragedy.

Woelfel and Shamblin both say they’d like see part of Bryce’s legacy include participation by education leaders to tell this story across the state -- especially at the high school level -- so students better understand the threat.

For the full story from WSAZ’s Tim Irr, check out the video above.