Teenager accused of livestreaming her friend being raped on Periscope

An Ohio teenager has been accused of livestreaming the alleged rape of her 17-year-old friend using the social media app Periscope.

Marina Lonina, 18, was socializing with the 17-year-old and 29-year-old Raymond Gates at a residence in Columbus, Ohio, on Feb. 27, Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O'Brien said, according to NBC affiliate WCMH-TV.

At some point, O'Brien said, Gates began to sexually assault the 17-year-old and, in response, Lonina began livestreaming the violence using Periscope, according to the station.

A night earlier, O'Brien noted, Lonina had also taken an illicit photo of the girl at Lonina's house.

O'Brien said authorities became aware of the alleged assault when a friend of the victim saw the images and alerted police.

Lonina and Gates were both indicted by a grand jury on Wednesday, and Gates is due in court for arraignment on Friday, according to the Associated Press.

The pair has been charged with rape, kidnapping, sexual battery and pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor, according to WCMH. If convicted, the AP reported, each faces up to 40 years in prison.

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

On its website, Periscope -- an app for smartphones that uses video for streaming -- is described as "the closest thing to teleportation."

"A picture may be worth a thousand words, but live video can take you someplace and show you around," the description says.