Joliet teens charged with child pornography after group sex video posted to Twitter

JOLIET, Ill. (WLS) -- Four Joliet teenagers were charged with child pornography after a group sex video was posted to Twitter.

The three males - ages 14, 15 and 16 - and one female, 15, all attend Joliet Central High School. They were arrested after the girl's mother saw the video and called police. The sex was consensual, according to the Joliet police chief, but distributing it online is considered child pornography.

"The child pornography offense that was charged is in place for a reason, because we don't want to accept that type of behavior as a society. So I think it's making a strong statement and I think it's important to do so to send the message to others: that kids shouldn't be involved in this type of behavior and hopefully this will serve as a deterrent," Joliet Police Chief Brian Benton said.

Chief Benton said all four teens admitted to being willing participants. Regardless, they are under the age of consent and posting a video engaged in sexual acts online is a crime.

The teenagers were arrested on Friday and appeared in court Monday. Charged as juveniles, they are being held at River Valley Justice Center.

Officials at Joliet Central High School and district administrators did not respond to requests for comment.