The law signed Wednesday by Gov. Mike DeWine makes makes sexual extortion a third-degree felony, with harsher penalties possible

Sextortion schemes that often target minors and caused the death of a suburban Columbus high school student are now illegal in Ohio.

Gov. Mike DeWine signed legislation Wednesday named for Olentangy High School football player Braden Markus that criminalizes sexual extortion, which occurs when someone blackmails another person over the release of private images. Ohio lawmakers passed the bill last month, more than three years after Braden fell victim to sextortion and killed himself.

“We can’t bring Braden back, but what we can do is something in his name today and say we’re going to make a difference,” DeWine said during a signing ceremony at the Ohio Statehouse, surrounded by Braden’s family and friends.

House Bill 531 makes sexual extortion a third-degree felony, with harsher penalties if the victims are minors, seniors or people with disabilities. When sentencing offenders, courts must consider whether the victim died by suicide or suffered “serious physical, psychological, or economic harm.”

The law also makes it easier for parents to access their child’s digital assets if they die as a minor. Rep. Beth Lear, R-Galena, who co-sponsored the bill, said Braden’s family wondered for months what happened to him because they couldn’t get into his cell phone.

Federal authorities received over 13,000 reports of online sexual extortion involving minors − primarily boys − from October 2021 to March 2023, according to the FBI. In Braden’s case, someone posing as high school girl on social media asked Braden for intimate photos and then demanded $1,800 so they wouldn’t be published. He died a half hour later.

“I’m hoping that there’s a deterrent,” Braden’s mother, Jennifer Markus, told the Columbus Dispatch last month. “Knowing that this law is there, that they will quit preying on our kids.”

An early version of the bill would have made victims and their families eligible for compensation through the attorney general’s office, but lawmakers axed that provision. A spokesperson for Attorney General Dave Yost did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Donovan Hunt contributed to this report.

Haley BeMiller covers state government and politics for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.

There is some uncertainty surrounding the Cotton Bowl entering Friday’s College Football Playoff semifinal between Texas and Ohio State at the Dallas Cowboys’ stadium, with bowl organizers preparing “contingencies” due to the weather forecast.

Arlington, Texas is under a winter storm warning from Thursday morning to Friday afternoon, with the possibility of several inches of snow.

While the stadium has a roof, the weather could create dangerous road conditions for fans traveling to the game.

A joint statement from AT&T Stadium and the Cotton Bowl Tuesday night said the game will be played as scheduled at 7:30 p.m. ET, with the two teams arriving to town Wednesday.

“We continue to monitor weather reports, and over the last 24 hours, the forecast for later this week has improved according to the National Weather Service,” the statement said. “We have been meeting routinely with city officials, the Director of Transportation for North Texas and the College Football Playoff. Should the forecast shift, we are prepared for contingencies.

“North Texas highways are already being brined and plans are in place to ensure a safe environment for everyone in and around AT&T Stadium on game day.”

More than 70,000 people are expected to attend Friday’s game, the winner of which will face the victor of the Penn State-Notre Dame Orange Bowl semifinal in the national championship game on Jan. 20.

Kevin Oden, the Dallas director of emergency management and crisis response, said staffing will be increased Wednesday in anticipation of the storm.

“We’re closely monitoring travel conditions into the city, especially as we prepare to host fans and teams for the Cotton Bowl,” Oden said. “Our priority is ensuring safe travel for the teams and their fans visiting Dallas and the metroplex.”

This is a developing story and will be updated.

The lingering effects of Monday’s snowstorm has led some central Ohio school district to cancel or delay school again on Wednesday, Jan. 8.

Most area school districts were closed Monday, the first day back after winter break for many. Some still remained closed on Tuesday. Those with closures or delays on Wednesday are largely in predominantly rural counties that had Level 3 snow emergencies that barred travel going into Tuesday except for emergency personnel, and where sheriffs reduced the warning to Level 2 later in the day. That designation means travel is still tricky in some areas, often from blowing snow.

More: When will my street be plowed? Snowplow trackers let you track Ohio snow cleanup progress

School closures (or delays) for Wednesday, January 8

As of Tuesday night, the following districts had announced closures (or delays) for Wednesday:

• Amanda-Clearcreek Local Schools
• Bloom-Carroll Local School District (Two-hour delay)
• Circleville City Schools (Two-hour delay)
• Fairfield Union Local School District
• Logan Elm School District
• Madison-Plains Local School District (Two-hour delay)
• Walnut Township Local Schools (Two-hour delay)

This list will be updated as additional information becomes available. School districts are encouraged to send an email with any delays or closures to newsroom@dispatch.com.

Check with your local school district or check back at dispatch.com to see if your school is closed or delayed on Wednesday.

smeighan@dispatch.com

@ShahidMeighan

This is a developing story and will be updated.