TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A former 911 operator could spend up to 100 years behind bars after authorities arrested him on charges tied to possessing, viewing, and transmitting child sexual abuse materials, Attorney General James Uthmeier announced.
Investigators began looking into 21-year-old Jacob Rookey after the Broward County Sheriff’s Office received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children alleging that Rookey possessed, viewed, and transmitted CSAM through Snapchat.
Using his IP address, investigators identified Rookey, and the Broward County Sheriff’s Office determined the case fell under FDLE Florida Keys jurisdiction.
According to Uthmeier, FDLE secured and carried out subpoenas and search warrants that uncovered communications showing Rookey buying and selling CSAM and animal sexual abuse materials, while also soliciting minors to send him CSAM.
The attorney general’s office said Rookey frequently posed as an underage girl during many of those conversations.
FDLE said Rookey worked as a 911 telecommunicator for the Key West Police Department when the crimes allegedly occurred.
“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.”
Authorities charged Rookey with one count of promotion of child sexual abuse materials, 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 sexual images, three counts of generated CSAM, and seven counts of promotion of animal sexual abuse materials.
“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.”
If convicted on all charges, Rookey faces up to 100 years in prison.
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