NAPERVILLE, Ill. — A Texas man has been arrested in connection with a horrifying case of online exploitation, accused of coercing a Naperville teenager into sending explicit photos before blackmailing him for money.
Cody Ratliff, 39, of Kerrville, Texas, was taken into custody on February 9 and charged with felony intimidation, according to the Naperville Police Department.
Authorities say that in February 2023, Ratliff posed as a 16-year-old girl online and manipulated a 16-year-old boy into sending nude images. Once he obtained the photos, Ratliff allegedly began threatening to release them unless the teen complied with his financial demands. The suspect even tracked down the teen’s family and friends on social media, further escalating his threats.
Fearing humiliation, the victim complied and sent money, but the demands continued.
“This is called sextortion, and it’s a growing problem in our society that every family should be aware of,” Naperville Police Chief Jason Arres stated. “In the past two years, our department has received 27 reports of sextortion, nearly half involving juveniles. Parents must have open conversations with their children about online safety and the dangers of predators who exploit digital anonymity.”
Authorities urge anyone who has experienced a similar situation to contact Naperville police at (630) 420-6666.
This heartbreaking case highlights the urgent need for vigilance in protecting children from online predators who exploit trust for financial and emotional harm.
