Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Chicago Tribune

    YouTube star faces prison for coercing teen admirers to perform sexually explicit dances in live online chats

    by Megan Crepeau, Chicago Tribune May 02, 2019 5 minutes

    CHICAGO - The young fans who lifted Austin Jones to internet stardom were devout in their affection, the way only teenage girls can be.

    Crowds would swarm the singer after his shows, and his admirers - many connecting to songs that hinted at Jones' own traumatic history - flooded him with messages confiding in him about their own abuse and depression.

    It was among those devoted fans that Jones found his victims, coercing underage girls to perform sexually explicit dances during live online chats by promising modeling opportunities, Instagram stardom and his valuable attention.

    "ohmygoodness that's amazing!!" one victim responded when Jones told her she had "a lot of modeling potential," according to prosecutors.

    On Friday, the U.S. attorney's office will seek an 11-year prison sentence for Jones, 26, in Chicago's federal court following his guilty plea in February to child pornography charges. The resident of west

    You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

    More from Chicago Tribune

    Chicago Tribune4 min read
    ‘The Jinx – Part Two’ Review: A Filmmaker Continues His Investigation Into Accused Killer Robert Durst
    When it premiered on HBO a decade ago, the true crime docuseries “The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst” stood out mainly because of Durst’s willingness to appear on camera. The wealthy New York real estate heir was suspected of killing three
    Chicago Tribune4 min readAmerican Government
    Editorial: A GOP Speaker Risks His Neck To Finally Help A Desperate Ukraine. He Deserves Democratic Support
    It’s to America’s shame that Ukrainian civilians are dying in Russian missile and drone attacks for lack of defensive weaponry due, at least in part, to the inability so far of the U.S. House of Representatives to approve military aid. Just Wednesday
    Chicago Tribune1 min read
    Stephen Colbert will bring ‘Late Show’ to Chicago during Democratic National Convention
    CHICAGO — The Democratic National Convention will have a new political commentator: Stephen Colbert is bringing his “Late Show” to Chicago and will broadcast from the Auditorium Theatre in the Loop from Monday, Aug. 19, to Thursday, Aug. 22, during t

    Related Books & Audiobooks