Police say a 15-year-old boy attempted to blackmail girls at Presque Isle High School into sending him nude photos of themselves.

"He would have information from their past that not a lot of people would know about, and he would threaten them and say give me some pictures or else I’m going to make this public knowledge," Detective Kris Beck told WAGM. "Or he would say I’m going to make up a bunch of stuff and get these rumors flowing about you unless you give me these pictures."

Beck said police are aware of about 20 potential victims, but he suspects that number will grow. He said the threats may have involved female middle school students and girls from outside of Presque Isle, possibly in Caribou, Washburn and Easton.

Because the suspect is a minor his name has not been released. The threats remain under investigation.

More From WQCB Brewer Maine