Press Release
☷FBI Cleveland Honors Northeastern Ohio Family With Director s Community Leadership Award
Federal Bureau of Investigation ( By Press Release office)
Feb 22,2024
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FBI Cleveland Special Agent in Charge Greg Nelsen commended the Woods during a private ceremony , acknowledging their strength and resilience in the face of unimaginable tragedy . He emphasized the importance of their work in honoring James ' memory and ensuring that his story is not forgotten . In 2022 , Timothy and Tamia tragically lost their son , James , to suicide as a result of sextortion . James was a popular 17 - year - old student and track star at Streetsboro High School . In response to their devastating loss , the Woods founded the Do It For James Foundation ( DIFJF ) to raise awareness and prevent similar tragedies . The foundation aims to inform both students and parents about the increasing threat of online coercion and threats faced by children and teenagers . The partnership between the FBI Cleveland Division and DIFJF began in early 2023 when the Division was asked to provide a presentation on sextortion to parents in a local school district . The DIFJF also shared their story during this event , leading to a collaborative effort to educate the community about the dangers of sextortion . Their joint efforts have included presenting at various schools and participating in a mental health symposium attended by over 100 professionals from different fields . In addition , every June the FBI Cleveland hosts a four - day program called Future Agents in Training ( FAIT ) for 50 rising seniors from the Cleveland area . The DIFJF was invited to present at this event , where they shared James ' story in a way that really connected with the audience . Tamia ended the presentation with a chant of "You matter!" to emphasize the importance of finding solutions in tough situations and valuing one ' s own life . The DIFJF also organized a "Walk/Run Day of Fun" in August 2023 in memory of James , offering scholarships and a day of family activities . Throughout the year , the DIFJF has focused on empowering youth , strengthening the community , and raising awareness about sextortion and suicide prevention . The impact of the Woods family ' s message will always be remembered by those who hear it . Special Agent Greg Nelsen of the FBI Cleveland presented Tamia and Timothy Woods with the Directors Community Leadership Award .
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