January 16, 2015
New York Jets linebacker Jermaine Cunningham, who has been charged with spreading sexual images of a female friend, commonly known as "revenge porn," as well as illegally transporting a handgun, is scheduled to go before a New Jersey judge March 5.
Cunningham, 26, was arrested on Dec. 29 after an alleged domestic violence incident at a Summit residence, the Asbury Park Press reports. He was charged with criminal mischief, invasion of privacy and unlawful weapons transport after a loaded handgun was found in his Audi.
Prosecutors say Cunningham violated a New Jersey statute that prohibits the distribution of sexual images without the subject's consent.
According to NJ.com:
Lawyers familiar with cyber invasion of a personal privacy say distribution of the explicit images is an ever-growing problem fed by the rapid advance of personal electronic devices and expansion of social media.
Mary Anne Franks, an associate professor a the University of Miami Law School, refers to it as “non-consensual pornography.”
Currently 16 states have laws outlawing the distribution of such images, but with 13 states enacting the measure over the last 18 months, she said.
The linebacker pleaded not guilty during a brief court hearing in Union County on Jan. 7.
The fifth-year pro is scheduled to be a free agent this offseason. He is not expected to return to the Jets.
