JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – A Jackson man was arrested on Thursday, October 3 on federal charges related 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.

Prosecutors said Weston attempted to and did extort money, as well as nude and sexually explicit photographic images, from at least 47 different identified female individuals over the internet, with more unidentified. They said several of the females were minors. The indictment alleged 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 information they gain through on-line 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 on-line, and all internet users to be cautious about sharing their personal information on-line.”

Weston made his initial court appearance on Thursday. 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. 

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