Governor Signs ‘Walker’s Law’ Targeting Sextortion, Following Legislative Approval

Starkville, Mississippi – Gov. Tate Reeves has signed “Walker’s Law,” which is named for a Starkville adolescent who killed himself.

In honor of Walker Montgomery, House Bill 1196 is called.

Following his involvement in a sextortion crime, Walker, a 16-year-old student at Starkville Academy, tragically committed suicide.

A new bill to penalize sextortion practitioners was passed by state lawmakers after that.

Previously, sextortion lacked a specified charge.

A person commits the crime of sexual extortion if they knowingly threaten to release, exhibit, or distribute a private image of another person to force or attempt to force the victim to do any act against their will, with the intent to obtain another private image or anything else of value.

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This includes threats made through electronic mail or other electronic communication. This is explained in section three of the bill.

Anyone found guilty of sexual extortion will be imprisoned, it continues:

For a first crime, a maximum sentence of (5) years
In the event of a second violation, no more than ten (10) years
For a third or subsequent violation, no more than fifteen (15) years

Here is a link to view the entire measure. Effective July 1st, this bill will be fully implemented.

Additionally, restrictions on social media platforms will be added by another bill.

To use certain websites, youngsters under the age of eighteen would need parental permission.