It is called “catfishing.” That is when someone creates a fake social media account to trick another person into believing they are someone else in an attempt to gain something they would otherwise not get. It is believed the teens used a dating app to obtain an X-rated picture of a French teacher under false pretences.
According to the Onslow County Sheriff’s Office, Brian Joshua Anderson and Brittany Renee Luckenbaugh are charged with one count each of misdemeanour disclosure of private images. It is alleged they managed to obtain a nude picture of French teacher David Laughinghouse, 51, without his consent. They then distributed the photo to fellow students at Swansboro High School.
The Onslow County Sheriff’s Office became aware of what happened on April 11 when they were contacted by a school resource officer who had become aware of the photo. After an investigation, the teens were arrested on Apr. 26.
The 51-year-old French teacher has been suspended with pay. Onslow County Schools issued a statement saying while they cannot go into details about students or personnel, they have investigated the incident and have taken appropriate action. The district also asked everyone to treat the matter with sensitivity.
The fact Laughinghouse was suspended even though he was the victim in this and did not know he was dealing with students online has caused division in the community. A former student of the school has begun an online petition supporting the teacher. Comments made online are critical of the school district for suspending Laughinghouse.
As of late last week, Laughinghouse, who taught in Onslow County Schools for 16 years, was still shown as being employed by the school district.
Anderson and Luckenbaugh were both released on $5,000 bonds and are scheduled to appear in court on June 15. The offence they face is a Class 1 misdemeanor under North Carolina law because they are minors. If they were adults, they would be facing felony counts. The penalty for a Class 1 misdemeanour is a maximum term of 120 days in jail and/or a fine. The pair also face the possibility of civil suits being brought against them.
The sheriff’s office is still investigating to determine if Anderson and Luckenbaugh catfished other people.