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LANDIS, N.C. – It is a disturbing trend spreading across North Carolina. Β Pictures of scantily clad, sexually suggestive, seemingly underage girls popping up on Instagram. Β Nine students in Rowan County are the latest to join the growing list of apparent victims. Β Landis Police say three offensive accounts–“rowancountyhoes,” “rowan_county_hoes”, and “rowancountywhores”–captioned pictures with comments like “Kannapolis Middle”, “Freshman at Carson”, and “Student from South High.”Β
The purpose? Apparently to put the girls “on blast”, or embarrass them. Β One student tells WCCB, “I really didn’t think it would get that far, like, I saw the page on Instagram and they followed me and everything and I’m like, nothing’s gonna happen outta this. Β And like 20 pictures get uploaded, next thing you know it’s on the news.”Β
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The investigation started earlier this month when a woman called Wake Forest police to report nude pictures of her daughter on social media. Β The State Bureau of Investigation is now looking into the Wake case, as well as incidents in Durham, Pitt, Craven, Johnston, Chatham, Randolph, Surry, and Edgecomb counties.Β
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Landis Police, who haven’t yet requested SBI assistance, submitted two warrants on February 15: one to Facebook, the company that owns Instagram, and the other to Instagram itself. Β The accounts have been deleted, but it’s just a matter of time before the social media sites cough up the preserved owner info and IP addresses, revealing the person or people behind them. Β They face possible felony charges including sexual exploitation of a minor and cyber bullying.
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In the meantime, Rowan County schools are sending home a cyber safety book with students and urging them to use good judgment. Β One student says, “Some girls I knew, some girls I didn’t. Β It changes my whole view on watching girls walk down the hallways at school.”Β
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Lincoln County Public Schools tells WCCB they had one similar incident about a month ago, but the picture was deleted. Β They are keeping a close eye on the current investigation. Β So far, no reports of naked pictures in Mecklenburg, Gastonia, Iredell, or Union.
