Bowling Green woman charged with distributing explicit images of a minor

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – A Bowling Green woman is charged after allegedly sharing explicit images on a social media platform.

The Bowling Green Police Department says it received a complaint on April 18 regarding a minor’s Snapchat account being hacked.

According to a uniform citation, the complainant told police that nude images and videos were posted to the minor’s story on the platform.

Authorities say the complainant said a tablet was left at their residence with the Snapchat account still signed in following an argument between the victim and the suspect.

Police say the victim stated she woke up on April 18 to several messages from other users that explicit images had been posted to an online story.

According to the citation, the victim stated the images and videos depicted them.

Police say they obtained a search warrant for the victim’s and the suspect’s Snapchat accounts.

The suspect was identified as 20-year-old Willow Neal of Bowling Green.

Police say they contacted Snapchat, and the company confirmed that messages were sent to the victim asking why the images and videos had been posted.

Police say they located Neal on Oct. 28 and conducted an interview.

Authorities say Neal agreed to speak to them and stated she was familiar with the case, as one of the victim’s family members said they were going to press charges.

Police say Neal denied being a participant in the crime.

Neal allegedly told police she believed the victim posted the videos and images to “get her in trouble.”

Police say a subpoena for the IP address was obtained and will be sent to an entity to be served.

Neal was arrested and lodged at the Warren County Regional Jail.

Neal is charged with the distribution of matter portraying sexual performance by a minor older than 12 years of age and under 18 years of age.

Neal was also charged with fraudulent use of a credit card between $500 and $1,000 in another investigation.