Connor Joseph Kerns, a 21-year-old man from Thousand Oaks, California, has been sentenced to nearly two decades in state prison for sexually extorting two minors he met online, specifically through Snapchat.
Kerns pleaded guilty to three felony charges: forcible rape, forcible oral copulation on a minor over 14 years old, and forcible sexual acts on a minor under 14. The sentencing comes after Kerns’ guilty plea in February 2024.
The first victim, a 16-year-old girl, met Kerns on Snapchat in July 2021. Despite being aware of her age, Kerns coerced her into sending him sexually provocative pictures of herself. Following this, Kerns created a fake Snapchat account under the name Dexter, claiming to have hacked Kerns’ account.
He threatened to post the victim’s provocative pictures online unless she agreed to send him nude photos/videos of herself. Fearing the consequences, the victim complied. Kerns then used the Dexter account to demand that the victim engage in numerous sexual acts in person with him, which she did out of fear. Over the next several days, Dexter made more demands of the victim, leading her to contact law enforcement.
Kerns employed the same tactics with another victim, a 13-year-old girl from Los Angeles County, a few months later in January 2022. He coerced this victim into sending him sexually explicit images, threatening to release them if she did not follow his demands. When the girl told her parents, they reported the incident to the Los Angeles Police Department.
The severity of Kerns’ sentence underscores the gravity of his crimes and highlights the dangers of social media. Deputy District Attorney Benjamin Moreno stated, “The defendant sexually exploited vulnerable young girls, inflicting irreparable harm in the process.
District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Connor Joseph Kerns (DOB 07/31/02), of Thousand Oaks, was sentenced on March 19, 2024, to 19 years state prison for violent sex crimes against two minors that he sexually extorted online.
— Ventura County District Attorney's Office (@VenturaCountyDA) March 21, 2024
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This sentence sends a clear message that such despicable acts won’t be tolerated, and sexual predators will face full prosecution. We hope it serves as a reminder to parents to stay vigilant and discuss social media risks with their children”.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with online interactions, especially for minors. It underscores the importance of vigilance and open communication about the potential dangers of social media platforms. The sentencing of Kerns is a testament to the justice system’s commitment to protecting vulnerable individuals from sexual exploitation and abuse.
