Charges Dropped in Cyber-Stalking Case - WMBB News 13 - The Panhandle's News Leader

Charges Dropped in Cyber-Stalking Case

Update (October 25, 2012):

Charges are dropped against four teens accused of cyber stalking on a Facebook page called Panama City's Trashiest.

In July, a 15-year-old girl, two 16-year-old boys and Austin Lowe, 18, were arrested for cyber stalking, a felony.

The State Attorney's Office for the 14th Judicial Circuit says charges were dismissed on Monday.

In the no information filing against Lowe it says the State Attorney's Office could not prove that substantial emotional distress was caused to the victims. They also say that although the site administrators could make initial posts they could not be responsible for comments made by others.

The State Attorney's Office says the defendants also took the Facebook page down and apologized to the victims. They also say the victim who initially reported the case requested that charges be dismissed.

Information on the 3 juveniles is now confidential since the charges are dropped.

Original story:

The Bay County Sheriff's Office has made two arrests in the case involving a page on Facebook called Panama City's Trashiest.

Investigators have been able to determine that four individuals were responsible for creating and administrating the Facebook page.

Arrested today was Kyra Jeter, DOB 9/23/96, of 1512 Belmont Blvd in Lynn Haven, and Austin Hartley, DOB 8/22/95 of 1212 Emory Road, Panama City. Austin Lowe, DOB 1/12/94, has had a warrant issued for his arrest, and Austin Wilson, DOB 6/27/95, has had a pick-up order issued because he is a juvenile.

All have been charged with Aggravated Cyber Stalking, a felony.

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Information provided by the Bay County Sheriff's Office