During the investigation, prosecutors discovered a case that led to tragic consequences.

In 2018, he texted 12-year-old Cimarron Thomas in West Virginia, USA. After complimenting him and taking a photo with him, he began his harassment campaign.

He demanded more photos of her and threatened to post her pictures online and expose her if she didn’t do what he said.

He was afraid and did not tell anyone what happened to him.

McCartney continued to follow her and came back for more photos, telling her she should include her little sister.

He refused to do so and said he would kill himself. He set the countdown clock.

While still online with McCartney, Cimarron shot himself in the head with a firearm legally held by his family.

His little sister found him.

Tragically, 18 months later Cimarron’s father Ben took his own life. He didn’t know why Cimarron took his when he died.

In a statement read outside the court Friday, Cimarron’s grandparents, Peggy and Dale Thomas, urged parents to “please keep the doors of communication open regarding some people’s online misdeeds.”

McCartney pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Cimarron Thomas earlier this year.

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