On Feb. 2, 2026, Arizona State Representative Pamela Carter announced that the Arizona House passed House Bill 2666, which increases penalties for adults convicted of sexually extorting teenagers online.
The legislation addresses concerns about the growing problem of sexual extortion involving minors on digital platforms. The bill reclassifies adult-on-teen sexual extortion from a class 3 felony to a class 2 felony and requires mandatory consecutive sentencing for offenders.
“Sexual extortion is hitting Arizona teens hard, and the predators behind it know exactly what they’re doing. They use platforms like Instagram and Discord to pressure kids for explicit images, then threaten to expose them unless they pay or comply. HB 2666 raises the penalty when an adult targets a 15-, 16-, or 17-year-old because this is exploitation, plain and simple. If you prey on teens for money or sexual favors, you should face a class 2 felony and mandatory consecutive prison time. No probation. No shortcuts. No easy way out,” according to Representative Pamela Carter.
The bill stipulates that if an offender is at least 18 years old and knows or should have known the victim is between ages 15 and 17, the offense will be treated as a class 2 felony with sentences served consecutively to any other imposed sentence for sexual extortion. Current law already treats sexual extortion against victims under age 15 as a class 2 felony under dangerous crimes against children provisions.
Carter, a Republican, was elected to the Arizona State House in 2025 to represent the state’s 4th House District, replacing previous state representative Laura Terech.
House Bill 2666 now moves to the Arizona Senate for further consideration.
