FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
| TYPE OF CRIME: Extortion, posting of a photograph without consent | CASE NUMBER: 22-057-0187 |
| LOCATION: 7000 block of Via Maria | |
| VICTIM: Withheld | AGE: 17 Years |
| ADDRESS: San José resident | |
| SUSPECT #1: Jonathan Kassi | AGE: 25 Years |
| ADDRESS: Reseda, CA | |
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| Suspect Jonathan Kassi |
| IN-CUSTODY |
On February 26th, 2022, the San José Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force initiated an investigation into a West African financial sextortion scheme. San José Police ICAC identified Jonathan Kassi as a person involved in the sextortion of a 17-year-old resident of San José, which resulted in his suicide. SJPD ICAC Task Force Detectives subsequently obtained an arrest warrant for the suspect.
On December 15, 2022, suspect Kassi was taken into custody in Van Nuys by the Los Angeles Police Department. SJPD ICAC Task Force Detectives transported suspect Kassi to San José where he was booked at Santa Clara County Main Jail for extortion and attempted disorderly conduct – posting of a photograph or recording without consent.
Suspect Kassi sexually exploited children online utilizing the usernames “emillysmith” and “kassijonathan” on various social media applications.
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.
Submit crime tips and remain anonymous by using the P3TIPS mobile app, calling the tip line at (408) 947-STOP, or on www.svcrimestoppers.org. If the information you submit leads to an arrest, you are eligible for a cash reward from the Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers Program.
| BY: Sergeant Christian Camarillo #3561 | AUTHORIZED BY: Lieutenant Semore #3789 |
| DATE: 12/19/2022 TIME: 8:30 AM | DATE: 12/19/2022 TIME: 8:00 AM |