Henry County woman arrested over distribution of 'intimate image'
NEW CASTLE, Ind. — A Henry County woman has been arrested over her alleged distribution of an "intimate image" of a female acquaintance.
Ashley Marie Thompson, 26, Spiceland, is charged, in Henry Circuit Court 3, with a Class A misdemeanor carrying up to a year in jail.
Thompson is accused of circulating online nude photos and a video of another Henry County woman, reported to be the girlfriend of Thompson's boyfriend's best friend.
New Castle police, who investigated the case, said the images were posted on Facebook, "without (the victim's) permission," on March 12.
A friend of the victim also told investigators Thompson had sent her a message on Facebook concerning the images. That woman also reportedly received one or more of the images, from Thompson, via Snapchat.
More: Muncie man convicted in drug deal that led to fatal overdose
A police officer interviewed Thompson on March 16, and said it was "obvious Ashley was experiencing a lot of emotional pain from the incidents leading up to the allegations."
The Spiceland woman also "expressed her embarrassment for reacting so quickly out of hurt," the officer reported.
The misdemeanor count, filed against Thompson on Monday, alleged the "person depicted in the intimate image did not consent to (its) distribution."
Thompson was apparently released after posting bond at the Henry County jail.
An initial hearing in the case is set for May 16.
In other crime news:
Guilty plea: A jury trial for a Muncie man facing domestic violence allegations ended abruptly when he entered into a plea agreement.
Shermein S. Cooper, 20, pleaded guilty to intimidation, a Level 5 felony carrying up to six years in prison. If Delaware Circuit Court 1 Judge Judi Calhoun accepts the terms of the plea bargain, Cooper will be sentenced on May 24.
The deal apparently calls for dismissal of two charges, criminal confinement and domestic battery with a deadly weapon.
Cooper was arrested in January after he allegedly held a knife to a woman's neck.
Douglas Walker is a news reporter for The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Distribution of 'intimate image' leads to Henry County woman's arrest
