An Investigation into Modern Crime
Due Date: April 27, 2026
CASE: Nex Benedict
LOC: Oklahoma, USA
DATE: Feb 2024
Nex Benedict (16, nonbinary) was repeatedly bullied at Owasso High School for their identity. On February 7, 2024, they were physically attacked in a school bathroom by three older students and died the following day.
The U.S. Department of Education opened a federal investigation into the school district. Perpetrators faced no criminal charges — a widely criticized outcome.
CAUSES & PUNISHMENT
Bias against identity, school negligence, peer pressure, lack of empathy education.
No — a student died without criminal prosecution, exposing legal gaps.
The attackers should be charged for physically hurting someone, sent to therapy, the school staff who ignored the bullying should lose their jobs, and the school should be watched and checked for 3 years.
PREVENTION & GLOBAL GOALS
Extremely serious. CDC (2025) calls it a public health issue of national concern.
SDG 16 (Justice) & SDG 3 (Health).
"Each of us deserves the freedom to pursue our own version of happiness. No one deserves to be bullied." — Barack Obama
CASE: Oxford Street Trio
LOC: London, UK
DATE: Dec 2025
A professional gang of three women systematically targeted tourists on London's Oxford Street. They were caught by a Met Police plain-clothes unit and jailed in Dec 2025.
Rome lead globally with 33,455 cases in 2024 — a 68% rise.
CAUSES & PUNISHMENT
Organized networks, poverty, crowd anonymity, weak penalties (50% recidivism in NYC).
Partially. Jailing gangs works, but short sentences for solo offenders don't stop the cycle.
The thieves should spend at least 2 years in prison, pay back the money they stole to their victims, and learn a job skill before they are released so they don't steal again.
PREVENTION & GLOBAL GOALS
Moderate-high. Financial loss and identity theft risk; often part of criminal enterprises.
SDG 16 (Justice) & SDG 1 (No Poverty).
"Some people steal to stay alive, and some steal to feel alive. Simple as that." — V.E. Schwab
CASE: Sebenza Truck
LOC: Gauteng, South Africa
DATE: Apr 2025
Five men (ages 50–69) using fake police uniforms hijacked a commercial truck on the R25 highway. Intercepted by multi-agency team; all arrested.
South Africa records 30–35 truck hijackings per week — the highest rate in the world.
CAUSES & PUNISHMENT
Unemployment, organized crime, insider knowledge of routes, weak border controls.
The law is right (15-year min), but bail conditions for repeat offenders are far too weak.
The leader should get 20 years in prison, everything they own that was bought with stolen money should be taken away, repeat criminals should not be allowed to go free while waiting for trial, and they should be watched and checked for 10 years after getting out.
PREVENTION & GLOBAL GOALS
Extremely serious. Armed, life-threatening, and causes massive economic damage.
SDG 16 (Justice), SDG 8 (Decent Work), SDG 1 (No Poverty).
"Members of organized crime continue to exploit their victims the old-fashioned way — through violence, threats and intimidation." — Loretta Lynch, former U.S. Attorney General
SDG 16 • SDG 3 • SDG 1 • SDG 8