Alabama man sentenced in sextortion scheme against KU student

LAWRENCE, Kan. (KCTV) - An Alabama man has been sentenced in connection with a sextortion case against a University of Kansas student.

Devaris L. Howard, 21, of Gadsden, Alabama, was sentenced to 41 months in the Kansas Department of Corrections with 36 months of post-release supervision for the sexual extortion of a then 19-year-old University of Kansas student in 2022.

Devaris L. Howard, 21, of Gadsden, Alabama, was sentenced to 41 months in the Kansas... — Devaris L. Howard, 21, of Gadsden, Alabama, was sentenced to 41 months in the Kansas Department of Corrections.(Kansas Department of Corrections)

“This sentence sends the message that our community will not tolerate predators who try to terrorize us for their depraved pleasure,” Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez said. “No one is alone. Our law enforcement partners and the District Attorney’s Office will aggressively pursue these predators.”

Charges stemmed from incidents that occurred between August and October 2022.

Howard sent messages to the victim threatening to distribute compromising images and videos taken when she was 13 years old if she did not comply with his demands.

ALSO READ: Omaha substitute teacher admits to having sex with 17-year-old student

To get the latest news sent to your phone, download the KCTV5 News app here.

Copyright 2024 KCTV. All rights reserved.