Teen indicted for Periscoping her friend's sexual assault
If convicted, she could face over 40 years in prison.
An Ohio woman used Periscope to livestream her friend's rape. According to a report by local NBC affiliate KXAN, in February 18-year-old Marina Lonina and her 17-year-old friend were hanging out with 29-year-old Raymond Boyd Gates when after an indeterminate period of time, Gates allegedly began sexually assaulting the victim. From another state, one of Lonina's friends watching the stream reported it to the proper authorities. A grand jury has recently indicted Lonina and Gates with charges for one count of kidnapping, two of rape, one of sexual battery and three counts of pandering sexually-oriented material involving a minor.
Lonina could also face additional charges of "illegal use of minor in nudity oriented material or performance" because she may have taken a nude photo of her friend the night prior, as well. Should the charges stick, Ohio prosecutor Ron O'Brien says that Lonina and Gates could each be looking at prison sentences upwards of 40 years each.
