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2 New Jersey Teens Charged In Alleged Sexting Scandal

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Criminal charges have been filed against two New Jersey teenagers, accused of threatening to release nude photos of another student.

As CBS 2's Tracee Carrasco reported, a 16-year-old Passaic Valley High School student and her boyfriend were arrested and charged with possessing and distributing naked photos of the boy's ex-girlfriend, who is also a student at the school.

2 New Jersey Teens Charged In Alleged Sexting Scandal

"It's dumb. Like you're 16, you shouldn't be doing this," said sophomore Mitko Bozinov.

Police said their investigation began after the school in Little Falls, N.J. contacted them.

According to detectives, the 16-year-old girl's boyfriend sent her eight nude pictures of his ex-girlfriend.

"That girl was then showing them around school on Friday," Little Falls Police Detective Sgt. James Briggs told WCBS 880's Levon Putney.

A former student at the high school told CBS 2's Christine Sloan she's not surprised by the allegations.

"You shouldn't send pictures online, because obviously it will get around some way or somehow," said Passaic Valley student Nick Melograno.

"Especially with social media, like as you get into high school -- especially our high school -- like you kind of want to fit in. You want the boys to like you," Nicolette Barbieri said. "Your parents should raise you not to do those things."

But parents said it sometimes isn't that easy.

"My older daughter has a cell phone. She has a smart phone, and what goes on on that cell phone I can only monitor so much of it," said Lorraine Agostinelli.

Agostinelli has even taken away her daughter's cell phone for minor things, but said kids don't realize online posts can come back to haunt them.

"The things that I see on there, the way they speak to each other, I think it is awful," she said.

On Wednesday night, parents received a voice mail from the Passaic Valley High School superintendent, reminding them of how serious the issue is.

"Make sure to remind children that taking, sending or sharing naked pictures of juveniles is a serious crime," Supt. Dr. Victor Joganow said in the message.

The two 16-year-olds have been charged with distributing child pornography under New Jersey's endangering the welfare of a child statute, Sloan reported.

"On conviction, you can also be required to register under Megan's Law," Briggs said.

Police confiscated the iPhone that belonged to the 16-year-old girl. They said they found nude pictures of another teenager, and that other juveniles could also face charges in connection with the case.

Police also said the 17-year-old girl whose photos were sent to others could potentially face charges.

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