Santaquin man charged with exploiting, extorting teens on social media

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Nicholas Santiago Gonzales faces charges of sexual extortion and exploitation of minors.

A 17-year-old reported threats from Gonzales on Snapchat to her school officer, charges say.

Police reported finding explicit content and conversations with teens on Gonzales' devices.

SANTAQUIN — A Santaquin man was charged Monday with contacting teenage girls on social media, convincing them to send explicit pictures and then — in at least one case — threatening to publicly release the pictures.

Nicholas Santiago Gonzales, 20, is charged in 4th District Court with sexual extortion, a first-degree felony, and four counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, a second-degree felony.

The investigation began Nov. 6 when a 17-year-old girl told her school resource officer about "some expl