Pa. student sues over cell phone pics
ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) — A teenager has sued a northeastern Pennsylvania school district after her principal confiscated her cell phone, found nude images on it and turned the phone over to prosecutors.
The federal suit says Gregory Ellsworth, the Tunkhannock Area High School principal, illegally searched the 17-year-old student’s cell phone after the device was confiscated by a teacher in January 2009.
The phone contained racy images the plaintiff had taken of herself.
The suit says Ellsworth turned the phone over to the Wyoming County district attorney, who allegedly threatened to file felony charges against the teen unless she took a class on sexual violence.
The student seeks damages against Ellsworth, the school district, prosecutors and a detective.
The suit was filed today.