HOPATCONG BOROUGH, NJ (Sussex County) – A church youth leader has been charged after he allegedly sent a picture of his genitals to a teenage female via Snapchat.
Michael De Block, 32, of Hopatcong has been charged with third-degree obscenities to a minor and third-degree endangering the welfare of a minor.
Detective Kraus received information that De Block was sending inappropriate pictures and messages to a teenage female. This teen was a youth student in the same church, Hopatcong Police Captain Thomas Kmetz said.
The church, which is located outside of Hopatcong, does have precautions in place where youth leaders are only to communicate with students at meetings. Also, leaders and youth are not paired co-ed, Kmetz said.
The church received information that De Block was communicating with a female student outside of meetings and in an inappropriate manner. The church then immediately contacted authorities, Kmetz said.
Detectives investigated De Block and found that he did send at least one picture of his genitals, and sent inappropriate messages to the female teen while outside of the church, Kmetz said.
“The name of the church will not be given, for it has no bearing on this case. We want reports of crimes to be reported to us without the fear of being publicized,” Kmetz said.
Parents need to be aware of what their sons and daughters are sending over the internet. “Not my kid Yes, your Kid! And mine to,” Kmetz said.
“Please talk to your child. Tell them that they also can be charged with a crime for sending a nude pic of themselves over the internet. Tell them that snapchat photos can be saved by taking a picture of the pic. Tell them how their “friends” will show another friend who shows another friend until the whole school gets to see it. We cannot stop every sexual predator. However, we can teach our children how to prevent becoming a victim,” Kmetz said.
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By: Jay Edwards Follow on Twitter | Like on Facebook
