FBI looking for online sex predator’s victims in Nevada

The FBI is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying additional victims of a convicted online predator.

Lucas Michael Chansler, 31, formerly of St. Johns, Fla., was sentenced to 105 years in federal prison for engaging in an extortion scheme to produce child pornography, the FBI said in a news release.

According to court testimony, Chansler targeted 350 minors in 26 states, three Canadian provinces, and the United Kingdom.

A total of 109 victims, including some in Nevada, have been positively identified by the FBI, the agency said.

Chansler used 135 known screen names while sexually extorting victims, the FBI said.

From 2007 through January 8, 2010, Chansler transmitted threatening communications to hundreds of girls over the Internet, according to court documents. He transmitted the threats with the intent to extort photographs and webcam videos showing the victims exposing themselves and engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

Chansler obtained the photos and videos by secretly recording the girls while pretending to be their friend or admirer on social networking websites.

“Sextortion is a growing threat both domestically and internationally,” Assistant FBI Director Joseph S. Campbell said. “The devastating impact of these crimes on the victims, their families, and friends cannot be ignored.”

Additional information about the crimes and contact information is available at https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/2015/july/sextortion/sextortion; and http://www.missingkids.com/Sextortion.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Contact Jeff German at jgerman@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-8135. Find him on Twitter: @JGermanRJ