CUDJOE KEY — A 21-year-old Florida Keys man faces up to 100 years in prison after Attorney General James Uthmeier announced 18 charges against him for trafficking in child sexual abuse materials, soliciting minors and distributing animal sexual abuse materials.
Jacob Rookey of Cudjoe Key was arrested on 1 count of promotion of child sexual abuse materials, 1 count of possession of CSAM, 1 count of transmission of CSAM by electronic device, 2 counts of solicitation of CSAM, 3 counts of generated altered sexual images, 3 counts of generated CSAM and 7 counts of promotion of animal sexual abuse materials.
“Trading in material that involves the sexual 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.”
The investigation began when the Broward County Sheriff’s Office received a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children indicating Rookey was possessing, viewing and transmitting CSAM via Snapchat. BSO identified Rookey by his IP address and determined that jurisdiction belonged to FDLE Florida Keys.
FDLE obtained and executed subpoenas and search warrants that uncovered communications in which Rookey was buying and selling child sexual abuse materials and animal sexual abuse materials, as well as soliciting minors to send him CSAM. In many of the communications, Rookey was posing as an underage girl.
Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Jillian Tate will prosecute the case in the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit of Florida. The investigation is ongoing, and more charges may be filed as needed.