Wisconsin Teen Charged with Sex Offenses Originating on Facebook
The anonimity of online social networks and interactions can lead people do to do things they would never do otherwise, even actions that can result in criminal charges in Wisconsin. Eighteen year old high school student Anthony Stanci of New Berlin faces several charges after a conducting a “sinister” series of offenses on boys he lured on Facebook, the popular social networking site.
According to the Associated Press, Stanci posed as a girl on Facebook and convinced 31 male school mates, as young as 15, to send him photos and videos featuring them partially or completely nude. Once they were received he blackmailed them into performing sexual acts or allowing him to perform sex acts on them.
Now he is facing several charges in Waukesha County. Those charges include possession of child pornography, two counts of third degree sexual assault, two counts of second degree sexual assault of a child, five counts of child enticement, and repeated sexual assault of the same child.
Stanci’s attorney is hoping for the best, stating his client plans on pleading not guilty and hoping for a plea agreement with the state prosecutor. A sex offense charge can ruin a person’s life, and result in tremendous hardship, even if there isn’t jail time involve. Being on a Wisconsin sexual registry will likely follow your for life, if you are convicted.
This goes to show that we don’t only have to watch out for adults stalking children online, but also peers and fellow students. Stanci is considered innocent until proven guilty, but there is a lot of evidence is against him. In order to have a favorable outcome in court, his attorney will have to be aggressive and focused on doing what is best for his client.
Defense attorneys always work for their client’s interests. That’s what we do. Regardless of the criminal charge, we are tasked with representing clients and ensuring the criminal justice system works as it was intended, protecting the rights of the accused in the administration of justice.
