A Southern Illinois man has been found guilty of an online sextortion scheme.

A federal jury convicted 44-year-old Michael Ferris of Mill Shoals on 25 counts of extortion, cyberstalking, and production, distribution and possession of child pornography involving nine minors.

According to documents and evidence, from March 2020 until November 2020, Ferris targeted teen girls on Facebook and engaged in a pattern of extortion. His victims ranged in age from 11- to 17-years-old.

A sentencing date has not been set.