Florida Attorney General James announced the arrest of a Cudjoe Key man on one count of possession of Child Sex Abuse Materials (CSAM), one count of promoting CSAM, one count of Transmission of CSAM by Electronic Device, and several exploitation-related charges through a press statement this week.
According to the attorney general, Jacob Rookey, 21, was arrested by Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) officials out of the Florida Keys after the Broward County Sheriff’s Office (BSO) received a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that Rookey was allegedly possessing, viewing, and transmitting CSAM through Snapchat.
BSO traced Rookey's IP address to the FDLE - Florida Keys jurisdiction.
Rookey was also charged with two counts of Solicitation of CSAM, three counts of Generated Altered Sexual Images, three counts of Generated CSAM, and seven counts of Promotion of Animal Sexual Abuse Materials.
During their investigation, FDLE uncovered communications that Rookey was allegedly buying and selling CSAM and animal sexual abuse materials, as well as soliciting children to send him CSAM. According to the FDLE, Rookey would also pose as an underage girl.
“Trading in material that involves the sexual exploitation of children and animals is what keeps the sick market for this material alive,” Uthmeier said. “We will seek the maximum punishment under the law for predators who perpetuate this abusive trade.”
Rookey faces up to 100 years in prison if convicted. Other charges could also be forthcoming during the investigation.
Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Jillian Tate in the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit will handle the case moving forward.
Uthmeier's announcement follows the arrest of a St. Cloud man for allegedly possessing CSAM in May. Uthmeier also arrested a Sanford man for allegedly possessing CSAM a few months prior and rearrested a Leesburg man for allegedly possessing child pornography in February.
