Pike County Sheriff’s Department announces grant funding

By Editor | February 3, 2026 |

ZACHARY ORR

Chief Deputy Zachary L. Orr of the Pike County Sheriff’s Department is pleased to announce that the department has received grant funding from the Health and Wellness Foundation of Pike County to support community- and school-based education efforts addressing the growing threat of online “sextortion.”
“More than 90% of teens in the US have cell phones, making them vulnerable to issues concerning sexting. Data compiled from over 54 studies show that youth involved in sexting are 3 times more likely to experience emotional victimization,” Patty McIntosh, Foundation Executive Director, said, “Also, they are more subject to depression and anxiety. The Foundation believes this program will provide effective tools and educational resources for Pike County youth, families, and educators alike.”
Through this grant, Chief Deputy Orr has partnered with Evan’s Voice, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to educating youth, parents, and communities about online exploitation and extortion. The funding will support school presentations and community forums throughout Pike County aimed at raising awareness, promoting prevention strategies, and encouraging early reporting of sextortion attempts.
“Sextortion is a rapidly growing crime that targets children and families across the country,” said Chief Deputy Orr. “This grant allows us to take a proactive approach by educating our community before tragedy occurs and by equipping parents and students with the knowledge needed to recognize and respond to these threats.”
Chief Deputy Orr said Evan’s Voice was founded by the parents of Evan James Boettler, a 16-year-old sophomore at Aurora High School in Aurora, Mo. who tragically died by suicide Jan. 3, 2024. An investigation later revealed that Evan had been the victim of an unsuccessful online extortion attempt. The investigation remains ongoing and involves local, state, federal, and international authorities.
Evan was widely known as a kind, driven, and compassionate young man. He was a varsity soccer player, an active member of Student Council and FFA, a member of the Youth Empowerment Project, and a Boys State nominee. Passionate about the outdoors, Evan dreamed of becoming a professional fisherman and was recognized by peers and teachers alike as a natural leader who consistently stood up for others.
In the wake of Evan’s death, his family connected with dozens of other families worldwide who had been affected by similar crimes. Through these connections, Evan’s Voice was established to educate, advocate, and promote meaningful change to protect children from online exploitation, while honoring the values Evan lived by.
“By bringing Evan’s Voice to Pike County, we are sharing a message that has the potential to save lives,”Orr said. “Education, awareness, and open conversations are critical to preventing these crimes and supporting victims.”
Community members are encouraged to attend upcoming presentations and to share Evan’s story as part of a broader effort to protect children and families. By amplifying Evan’s Voice, the experiences of nearly 30 other children and families impacted by similar tragedies are also being heard, transforming loss into action and prevention.
For more information regarding upcoming presentations or sextortion awareness resources, please contact the Pike County Sheriff’s Department. The dates for the school presentations and community forums will be announced at a later time.