Teenager charged with livestreaming rape of friend on Periscope app

Marina Lonina is accused of broadcasting the alleged sexual assault in Ohio

Marina Lonina, who is charged with using an app to livestream the alleged rape of a 17-year-old girl (AP)

A teenager has been charged with livestreaming the alleged rape of her 17-year-old friend.

Marina Lonina, 18, is accused of filming the assault at a house in Columbus, Ohio, on 27 February.

She and her co-defendant, Raymond Gates, 29, are charged with rape, kidnapping, sexual battery and pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor.

Raymond Gates (AP)

Lonina was also charged with illegal use of a minor in a nudity-oriented material or performance.

Authorities were contacted when a friend of the victim saw the alleged images on smartphone app Periscope, which allows users to stream events live.

Ron O'Brien, the Franklin County prosecutor, said Lonina and the victim were socialising with Gates at when he raped the 17-year-old girl as his alleged accomplice filmed.

Lonina had also taken a picture of the victim nude on the previous evening, Mr O'Brien said.

“If Gates and Lonina are convicted for these charges, they each face a potential sentence in excess of forty years in prison,” he added.

Additional reporting by AP