Wisconsin Capitol Building at night during Chrismas. MWC file photo by Mike Leischner
MADISON, WI (WSAU) — A bill that would make sextortion a Class B felony in Wisconsin passed the Assembly on a unanimous voice vote Wednesday afternoon.
“Today, Wisconsin sent a clear message to the despicable predators trying to exploit and harm our children – stay out of Wisconsin,” said Rep. Jacobson. “My colleagues and I don’t have the power to bring Bradyn back. However, today’s vote is a major step towards protecting our children from this evil, and making sure no other family has to grieve for a son or daughter robbed from them by sextortion.”
Bradyn’s Law, currently known as Assembly Bill 201, is named after former D.C. Everest student Bradyn Bohn, adds sextortion to the list of high-level felony counts in Wisconsin statutes. Sextortion, or sexual extortion, involves baiting someone into sending intimate images and then threatening to release them if the victim doesn’t pay up.
The perpetrator may imitate a teenage girl or young woman and bait boys or young men into trading photos. Once they do, the conversation may take a drastic turn with the perpetrator demanding immediate payment or else they will release the photos.
Bohn died by suicide earlier this year after falling victim to sextortion.
Jacobson wrote Assembly Bill 201 with support from other Central Wisconsin lawmakers, including Republicans Pat Snyder, Cory Tomczyk, Jesse James, and John Spiros. Democrats signed on include Shelia Stubbs and Lisa Subeck of Madison.
The bill now moves to the Senate. If it passes there, it will head to Governor Tony Ever’s desk for his signature.
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