Rosemead teen charged with extorting nude photos from underage girls

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A 19-year-old man was charged Friday with more than 150 criminal counts for allegedly extorting young girls into sending him naked photos.

Cesar Mauricio Estrada-Davila, of Rosemead, was charged with 109 felony and 42 misdemeanor counts including extortion, possession and distribution of child pornography and lewd acts upon a child, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.

Prosecutors allege that between January and April, Estrada befriended young girls through social media, telling them he was a modeling agent. Estrada allegedly asked the girls to send him pictures in their underwear before threatening to release those photos if the alleged victims did not send him nude pictures.

Authorities launched an investigation that lasted several months after one alleged victim notified her parents, who contacted police.

According to prosecutors, Estrada-Davila victimized at least 21 girls between the ages of 12 and 17.

During his arraignment hearing, he entered a plea of not guilty and his bail was set at more than $3 million.

If convicted as charged, Estrada faces several life sentences in state prison.