Former WWE Wrestler Accused of Sending Sexually Explicit Images to a Minor

So firstly, bare with us as we ramble a bit.  Usually when these types of accusations are made by minors, their face and name are kept out of the story.  Yet, these were made publicly, for all to see.  So since we’ve never covered this kind of story, one involving direct complaints by a minor on social media for the world to see, we’re not going to abide by standard practices on this one.  It’s a public situation and needs to be dealt like one.  This may change in the future, on a case by case basis.

A sixteen year old girl named ‘Kenzie’, has accused James Ellsworth of sending her nude photos on Snpachat and seemingly posted some, distorted and blocked out, on Twitter as “proof”.   She then posted some less raunchy photos as well, and has been sending unedited nudes to those who ask.

While I have not, and will not ask to see these photos there does appear to be some sites who have, like Ringside News that has a blurred video up.  Other sites as well has posted screen grabs or embedded “Kenzie’s” tweets as further proof.  Her Twitter is @KliqKid if you feel the need to see some of the content she posted.

Also, “Kenzie” has posted that she has heard back from female wrestlers as well regarding Ellsworth.  She claims several have contacted her saying that Ellsworth was “a creep”, and had tried to sleep with a bunch of women at indy shows.  Which, is not illegal unless they are under the age of consent.

So legally speaking, what’s the whole story?  Well firstly in every state, sending nude photos to  a minor is illegal.  Even if done unwittingly.  Most states use a morality stance in this regard; citing a belief that you shouldn’t being doing this type of behavior anyway, regardless of the person’s age to which you are sending.

There’s also another issue, one that “Kenzie” could be facing.  In Ohio, if a minor is distributing pornographic images, they can be charged for that.  However, as “Kenzie” is apparently a resident of Massachusetts she’s in the clear on this.

And it gets even murkier.  If Ellsworth is innocent in this, if someone forwarded the images to “Kenzie” and she started publishing these in the hope of some fame grabbing move, Ellsworth would technically be a victim of revenge porn.  There are no laws in Massachusetts for revenge porn, as of 2015.

But I’m under the assumption “Kenzie” isn’t lying.  So is there any legal ramification  she can face?  Yes, actually.  According to the Massachusetts revised code, Part IV, Title I, Chapter 271, Section 29: Dissemination of obscene matter. Because “Kenzie” is seeking to send nude photos of someone else against their permission,  she could be held in violation of the previously aforementioned statute.   In it, the line reads “Whoever disseminates any matter which is obscene…with the intent to disseminate the same…”.

She could see five years in jail if the state wants to make examples out of all parties involved.  Now, why would they do that?  Well if the State sees “Kenzie” as being problematically prior to this, or if she’s lying about anything, they have at times sought to make a precedent with a case.  Set a standard for behavior, if you will.  Again, there’s no proof she’s lying but these are the laws that are in place.

“Kenzie” has claimed she hasn’t gone to the police, yet, but she and her parents may very well end up going that route.

For his part, Ellsworth has lawyered up with Bates & Garcia Attorneys at Law out of Baltimore, Maryland to handle his legal defense.

 

There is no judgement or side picking in this column.  I’m waiting for the facts of the case to come to light before passing judgement.  In today’s day and age it is way to easy to get your personal life exposed, and false claims made.  That being said, there is also substantial proof for an investigation to be made.  If Ellsworth is sending nude photos to children, he needs to pay for that.