Photo: San Jose Police Department
The San Jose Police Department is warning parents of the dangers to their children experiencing sextortion. A San Jose teenager committed suicide earlier this year after he was being cyber blackmailed for money.
Jonathan Kassi is accused in the sextortion of a 17-year-old San José resident, which led to his death, according to San José Police ICAC. A warrant for the suspect's arrest was subsequently secured by SJPD ICAC Task Force Detectives.
Suspect Kassi was apprehended in Van Nuys by the Los Angeles Police Department on December 15, 2022. Suspect Kassi was brought to San José by SJPD ICAC Task Force Detectives, where he was held at the Santa Clara County Main Jail on charges of attempted disorderly conduct - publishing an image or recording without permission, and attempted extortion.
Kassi is suspected of using the usernames "emillysmith" and "kassijonathan" on multiple social networking platforms to sexually exploit minors.
Detectives believe there could be additional victims due to the suspect’s criminal pattern and use of social media to target minors. Anyone with information about this case, or other cases involving Jonathan Kassi is asked to contact Sergeant Pierce #3415 of the San José Police Department’s ICAC Unit at (408) 537-1397 or e-mail 3415@sanjoseca.gov.