Florida predator posing as underage girl caught with horrific child & animal abuse material, faces 100 years behind bars
Florida – Florida authorities say a 21-year-old Florida Keys man could face up to 100 years in state prison after being arrested in a child se-ual abuse materials investigation that began with a cyber tip and expanded into a wider case involving alleged online trading, solicitation and generated abusive images.
Attorney General James Uthmeier announced that Jacob Rookey, of Cudjoe Key, has been charged with multiple offenses tied to child se-ual abuse materials, known as CSAM, and animal se-ual abuse materials.
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The charges include one count of Promotion of CSAM, one count of Possession of CSAM, one count of Transmission of CSAM by Electronic Device, two counts of Solicitation of CSAM, three counts of Generated Altered Se-ual Images, three counts of Generated CSAM, and seven counts of Promotion of Animal Se-ual Abuse Materials.
“Trading in material that involves the se-ual exploitation of children and animals is what keeps the sick market for this material alive,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier.
“We will seek the maximum punishment under the law for predators who perpetuate this abusive trade.”
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The case began after the Broward County Sheriff’s Office received a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
According to authorities, the tip alleged that Rookey was possessing, viewing and transmitting CSAM through Snapchat. Investigators with the sheriff’s office used an IP address to identify Rookey, then determined that the case fell under the jurisdiction of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Florida Keys region.
From there, FDLE investigators obtained and executed subpoenas and search warrants. Those steps, according to the Attorney General’s Office, led to the discovery of communications in which Rookey was allegedly buying and selling CSAM and animal se-ual abuse materials.
Investigators also said they found communications in which Rookey allegedly solicited minors to send him CSAM.
Authorities said that in many of the online exchanges, Rookey posed as an underage girl.
FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass said the agency will continue pursuing cases involving the exploitation of children and will work with statewide prosecutors to stop offenders from causing further harm.
“Preying on our community’s most innocent and vulnerable will never be okay in Florida. FDLE will investigate these vile crimes and work with Attorney General James Uthmeier’s statewide prosecutors to ensure you do not have the opportunity to victimize our children ever again,” said FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass.
“We urge parents and guardians to talk to your children and learn more about what they are putting online. Prevention is the best way to deter crime. Visit the Secure Florida website, which is maintained by the FDLE Cyber Crime and Telecommunications Bureau.”
The Secure Florida website is maintained by FDLE’s Cyber Crime and Telecommunications Bureau and provides information aimed at helping residents better understand online safety and prevention.
Rookey was arrested following the investigation. If convicted as charged, he faces up to 100 years in the Florida Department of Corrections.
Officials said the investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges may be filed if needed. The case will be prosecuted in the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit of Florida by Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Jillian Tate.
