The Excerpt Transcript: Financial Sextortion Exploiting American Teens

Introduction

Hosted by Taylor Wilson, The Excerpt is a daily podcast from USA TODAY that delivers the latest news and insights on current events.

Conversation with Maureen Groppe: Reverse Discrimination Case at the Supreme Court

Case Background

Maureen Groppe, USA TODAY’s Supreme Court Correspondent, discusses a case involving Marlene Ames, an employee of Ohio Youth Services Department who filed a lawsuit alleging reverse discrimination after being denied a promotion.

Key Legal Issue

The Supreme Court will debate whether a lower court was correct in dismissing Ames’ lawsuit due to an "extra hurdle" placed on discrimination cases involving members of a majority group.

Government’s Position

The Biden administration has argued that the lower court’s standard is discriminatory and should not be applied to cases involving majority group plaintiffs.

News Briefs

UN Security Council on Russia-Ukraine Conflict

• The UN Security Council adopts a neutral resolution on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, reflecting President Trump’s shifting policy towards Russia.
• President Trump meets with French President Emmanuel Macron, who advocates against a hasty peace deal that could legitimize Putin’s aggression.
• Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy expresses willingness to step down if Ukraine is granted NATO membership.

ICE Enforcement Ban at Places of Worship

• A federal judge blocks ICE agents from entering or targeting migrants near places of worship.
• Religious groups argue that such actions violate federal policy against conducting enforcement actions in places of worship.

Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency

• A federal judge temporarily blocks Musk’s department from accessing sensitive Education Department information.
• The White House and Musk criticize the decision, while the Federal Office of Personnel Management instructs workers to ignore Musk’s directives.

Conversation with Rachel Hale: Financial Sextortion Exploiting Teens

Surge in Financial Sextortion Targeting Boys

Rachel Hale, USA TODAY’s Youth Mental Health Reporting Fellow, discusses the alarming rise in financial sextortion crimes targeting teenage boys in the United States.

Victim Profile

Teenage boys aged 13-17 are most commonly exploited by predators who use social media to coerce victims with threats of distributing private material or causing harm.

Culprits and Extradition Efforts

• Perpetrators are often based outside the US, making prosecution challenging.
• Recent extraditions, such as the one in January involving the suicide of Gavin Guffey, send a message to predators that they can be held accountable.

Teen Vulnerability

• Developing cognitive functions and impulsivity make teens more susceptible to threats and emotional manipulation.
• Pre-existing mental health conditions and environmental factors can increase suicide risk.

Parental Advocacy and Advice

• Parents advocate for understanding that teens are not to blame for the crimes committed against them.
• They encourage teens to seek support and know that life can continue beyond these traumatic experiences.

Resources for Help

• Call or text 988 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
• Chat online at 988lifeline.org.

Outro

Thank you for listening to The Excerpt from USA TODAY. For more episodes and the latest news, visit usatoday.com or subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen to audio.