COLUMBUS, Ohio — Braden’s Law, authored by state Rep. Brian Lorenz (R-Powell), was signed into law by Gov. Mike DeWine Wednesday.
The bill, named after Braden Markus, an Olentangy High School student, will create the criminal offense of sextortion after Markus was coerced into exchanging inappropriate photos with a “girl” online and threatened with public release if he didn’t pay for the photos to not be released.
“This legislation may have been inspired out of a tragic situation, but now Ohio will have a law that will make online perpetrators thank twice about their activities,” said Lorenz. “I’m grateful that Governor DeWine has seen the need for this legislation and how it can help families in the future.”…