JACKSON — A Jackson man was arrested Thursday in Jackson on federal charges relating to an alleged “sextortion” scheme that targeted multiple victims, including minors.

According to a nine-count indictment unsealed this week, Marquez Cameron Jones Weston, 22, allegedly operated a “sextortion” scheme in which he engaged in cyberstalking, interstate threats, extortion, attempted production of child pornography, and transportation of child pornography over the internet. As part of the scheme charged in the indictment, Weston attempted to and did extort money and nude and sexually explicit photographic images from at least 47 different identified female individuals over the internet, with more unidentified. Several of these females were minors.  The indictment alleges Weston committed these crimes from July 2023 through February 2024.

“We are seeing a troubling increase throughout the nation of ‘sextortion’ as criminals, like this defendant, use the information they gain through online communications, hacking, or other means to blackmail juveniles and other victims into giving them pornography,” said U.S. Attorney Todd Gee. “I encourage parents to be aware of who their children are communicating with online, and all internet users to be cautious about sharing their personal information online.”

“Today’s arrest demonstrates the steadfast commitment of the FBI, USAO and our law enforcement partners in protecting our communities from being victimized by sextortion,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert Eikhoff.  “Marquez Cameron Jones Weston’s deliberate actions in targeting the innocence of our youth will not be tolerated. The FBI will continue to aggressively investigate and bring predatory individuals, like Mr. Weston, to justice.”

Weston made his initial court appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Andrew S. Harris of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison.

In February, a federal grand jury named Weston in a separate indictment charging him with possession of child pornography. If convicted of that charge, he faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

U.S. Attorney Todd W. Gee of the Southern District of Mississippi and Special Agent in Charge Robert A. Eikhoff of the Federal Bureau of Investigation made the announcement.

The FBI is investigating the case with assistance from the Sam Houston State University Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly T. Purdie is prosecuting the case.

The FBI provides the following six tips on how people can protect themselves from sextortion schemes:

• Be selective about what you share online. If your social media accounts are open to everyone, a predator may be able to figure out a lot of information about you.
• Be wary of anyone you encounter for the first time online. Block or ignore messages from strangers.
• Be aware that people can pretend to be anything or anyone online. Videos and photos are not proof that people are who they claim to be. Images can be altered or stolen. In some cases, predators have even taken over the social media accounts of their victims.
• Be suspicious if you meet someone on one game or app and this person asks you to start talking on a different platform.
• Be in the know. Any content you create online — whether it is a text message, photo, or video—can be made public. And nothing actually “disappears” online. Once you send something, you don’t have any control over where it goes next.
• Be willing to ask for help. If you are getting messages or requests online that don’t seem right, block the sender, report the behavior to the site administrator, or go to an adult. If you have been victimized online, tell someone.

If you, your child, or someone you know is being exploited via sextortion, contact your local FBI field office, call 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324), or report it online at the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). Additional resources can found at Sextortion and Financially Motivated Sextortion — FBI.  If you believe you are a victim in this particular case, please also contact the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi.

U.S. Attorney Todd Gee recently recorded an Internet Safety PSA warning about the dangers of online predators.

An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The future is now in Starkville.

After Blake Shapen suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in the Florida loss, Mississippi State handed the ball to prized recruit Michael Van Buren Jr. He’ll have a shot over the next seven games to padlock the QB job for the next three years.

However, the Bulldogs’ best true freshman of September doesn’t throw passes… he catches them. And he makes plays on special teams. No one recruits, develops, and turns loose young stars better than the SEC. Here are each league team’s top rookie of the opening month.

Electrifying Georgia game stamped Williams as the favorite for the 2024 Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award.

Punishing runner has rushed for 62 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Mega-recruit has made nine catches for 212 yards and a TD while dealing with a shoulder injury.

Sure, it was against Samford, but Lagway’s lone start sent a clear signal of his seismic potential.

Five-star Bolden has played 170 snaps and is already a key member of the DB rotation.

In spot duty, Nichols is laying the groundwork with a couple of pass breakups.

Durham has risen to the top of the depth chart in Baton Rouge with 374 yards from scrimmage and five total TDs.

Craver has already paid dividends on offense and special teams for the Bulldogs. The speedy four-star recruit has nine receptions for 238 yards and two TDs, adding a score on a blocked punt fumble recovery.

It’ll be fun watching the chemistry develop between the two rookies, Craver and MVB at quarterback.

Dallas native ranks fourth on Mizzou with 69 yards on 11 carries.

Sooner gem has already logged 150 tackles and seven stops in the first four games.

The future is bright for Echoles who has flashed off the bench in run defense.

Stewart has quickly emerged as one of the nation’s most explosive and disruptive young edge rushers.

Early blowouts gave future stars, like Carter, a chance to log valuable reps.

Simmons has been a beast off the edge, bagging a team-high four sacks and earning a wicked PFF pass rush grade of 90.2.

Reed has filled in exceptionally well for injured Conner Weigman, accounting for eight TDs without a pick.

Seabrooks has earned quality minutes off the bench, making 11 tackles and his first career pick.

SEC Football Offensive Players of the Month: Who Represents Mississippi State?

SEC Football Defensive Players of the Month: Who Represents Mississippi State?

STARKVILLE, Miss. – Mississippi State football and Tennessee Titans’ Jeffery Simmons each have a similar goal for this week: get healthy.

Simmons is recovering for a torn ligament in his left elbow and Mississippi State’s list of injured players is filled with key players hoping the extra week gets them back on the field.

Safety Isaac Smith missed last week’s game against Texas, but is third in the nation in total tackles. He’s one of the most impactful players listed on last week’s availability report (outside of quarterback Blake Shapen, of course).

But other names such as  Chris Keys Jr. (safety), Kalvin Dinkins (defensive line), Kedrick Bingley-Jones (defensive line), Traveon Wright (cornerback) and DeAgo Brumfield (cornerback) all missed last week’s game.

One of the goals for Mississippi State this is week is to do just that.

“Getting our legs back being fresh and being fast next Saturday in Athens is going to be absolutely critical,” Lebby said.

Redshirt freshman Trevion Williams echoed that sentiment during his Wednesday media session.

“Just get our bodies back right,” he said when asked about goals for the by week.

One name that will most likely still miss time after the bye week is running back Keyvone Lee, who Lebby said will miss a significant amount of time after an injury earlier this season.

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SEC Football Defensive Players of the Month: Who Represents Mississippi State?