Gov. Evers signs Bradyn’s Law, strengthening sextortion penalties in honor of Wisconsin teen

WESTON, Wis. (CIVIC MEDIA) –Governor Tony Evers has signed a bill aimed at strengthening penalties for perpetrators of sextortion.

The bill, called Bradyn’s Law, stems from the death of DC Everest High School student Bradyn Bohn. He took his own life earlier this year after being targeted by an organized sexual extortion ring.

Evers signed the bill at the Greenheck Turner community center in Weston on Monday. 

“Kids these days are up against a whole host of challenges that many of us parents and grandparents could never have dreamed of,” Evers said. “Social media, AI, you name it, these are things that touch our lives each and every day.”

Sextortion is a form of online exploitation where perpetrators coerce minors, typically underage boys, into sending sexually explicit material.

They then threaten to release it unless they receive payment. 

“Extortion, like what Bradyn was subjected to, is one of the fastest-growing cyber crimes targeting kids in our country today, with reporting from the FBI telling us these cases number in the thousands,” Evers said.

The legislation establishes sextortion as a new crime, and imposes severe penalties. Those penalties increase if the victim dies as a result of the scheme, like Bohn did. It also provides the victim or the victim’s family with payment from the Department of Justice’s crime victim compensation fund.

The bill passed the state legislature in October, less than six months after it was introduced to the legislature. 

“By making these changes, we’re ensuring a stronger deterrent for these crimes, creating real consequences, and making sure Wisconsin remains a safe place for kids and their families,” Evers said.

Bohn’s family joined Evers at the bill signing. His parents lobbied the legislature in tearful testimony to get this bill passed. His mother, Brittany Bird, said the signing of the bill gives her hope.

“The hope that this is only the beginning of Bradyn’s story, not the end,” she said. “I have hope that we will take back control from these criminals, and our children will no longer be pawns in their sick games.”