Cheerleader’s mom accused of making ‘deepfakes’ of rivals

DOYLESTOWN, Pa. (AP) — A Pennsylvania woman is accused of doctoring photos and video of her daughter’s cheerleading rivals to try to get them kicked off the squad, officials said.

The Bucks County District Attorney’s Office last week charged Raffaela Spone, 50, with three misdemeanor counts of cyber harassment of a child and related offenses.

Spone manipulated photos from social media of three girls on the Victory Vipers cheerleading squad in Chalfont to make it appear they were drinking, smoking and even nude, investigators said.

Spone also sent messages with the so-called “deepfake” pictures to the the girls and suggested they kill themselves, officials said.

Spone’s attorney, Robert Birch, told WPVI-TV he can’t comment because he said the DA hasn’t presented any evidence.

“She has absolutely denied what they’re charging her with and because of the fact that this has hit the press, she has received death threats. She has had to go to the police herself, they have a report,” Birch said. “Her life has been turned upside down.”

The cheerleading team expressed sympathy for the families involved and said the team has a “very strict anti-bullying policy.”

SportsPlus

McNeese Sports

Cowboys to face old friend

life

Eight Operation Christmas Child drop-off sites to open across SW La.

McNeese Sports

Rivals meeting after absence

Business

Leaning in to downtown development with tax credits

Local News

Brittney Link: Teaching is a journey of continuous growth 

Local News

Groundbreaking ceremony held for Louisiana Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Crime

11/13: Calcasieu Parish Sheriff announces arrest list

life

Mistletoe & Moss back with a new look

Local News

Leesville High grad to lead US Army in the Pacific

Local News

School Board puts bus decisions back in hands of transportation department

life

Habibi Shriners Circus is high-flying motor thrill fest

Local News

Speaker Mike Johnson wins GOP nomination to remain in job, faces full House vote in new year

Crime

Death of two women at Topsy Road home under investigation

McNeese Sports

Know your foe: Demons struggle to rebuild

life

Smoke & Barrel: Aged since 2018 with character aplenty

life

Bingo With a Purpose: Seniors have fun, learn about abuse prevention

Jim Beam

Jim Beam column: Ending tax breaks is tough

Local News

McNeese awarded $2.2M grant to offer resources, tutoring, peer support to students

Local News

Allen school employees in line for two supplement pay increases

Crime

LC man arrested during joint undercover operation targeting online offenders

Local News

Judge delays ruling on whether to scrap Trump’s conviction in hush money case

Crime

11/12: Calcasieu Parish Sheriff announces arrest list

Local News

Speaker Mike Johnson says Republicans are ‘ready to deliver’ on Trump’s agenda

Business

Names in the News: People shaping the future of Lake Area business