Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Sextortionist Hacked Miss Teen USA For Nude Pics
Miss Teen USA California Cassidy Wolf arrives to the Premiere of 'Wiener Dog Nationals' at Pacific Theatre at The Grove on June 18, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)
The newly-crowned Miss Teen USA was allegedly the victim of a "sextortion" in which an individual hacked into the computer in her Temecula bedroom in order to obtain naked photos.
Cassidy Wolf of Temecula told the media this week that she was targeted before she had been awarded her crown, and her mother, Mary Wolf, said the investigation into the allegations had been going on for some time, according to the Press-Enterprise.
Wolf explained that "she received an anonymous email from someone claiming to have nude photos of her taken via the webcam on her computer," reports the L.A. Times.
The pageant winner said the extortion--aka sextortion--plot involved the suspect trying to get money from Wolf so that the photos would not be made public.
Federal authorities revealed that Wolf and about a dozen other women were allegedly victimized by the individual. FBI spokesperson Laura Eimiller says the illegal activity is no longer taking place.
Mary Wolf said the episode has been "scary and terrorizing" for Cassidy and her family.
Cassidy Wolf, a graduate of Orange County's Great Oak High, had been attending Orange Coast Community College, taking mostly online courses, but has since moved to New York to attend film school. Not deterred by the "sextortion" case, the reigning Miss Teen USA says she intends to discuss her experience in order to raise awareness of the issue.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
