Jake Ethan Patterson, 26, of Rogersville, Missouri, is facing federal charges after being indicted on four counts related to the sexual exploitation of three children, including two toddlers aged three to five and a 12-year-old, authorities announced Wednesday.
The federal grand jury in Springfield, Mo., returned the indictment on November 17, charging Patterson with three counts of sexual exploitation of a child and one count of receiving and distributing child pornography. The indictment supersedes a criminal complaint filed November 2, 2021, and Patterson has remained in federal custody since his arrest.
According to a supporting affidavit, the investigation began in June 2021 when Canadian law enforcement seized two cell phones tied to a Canadian citizen. On those devices, investigators uncovered Snapchat messages between the individual and Patterson, who was actively sharing graphic images and videos of child sexual abuse.
The files included multiple depictions of the three U.S.-based child victims. One image uploaded by Patterson on July 3, 2021, flagged by Snapchat in a Cyber Tip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, was confirmed as widely circulated child pornography—but not involving the three victims in this case.
The FBI, Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force, and Springfield Police Department led the investigation, which falls under the umbrella of Project Safe Childhood—a Justice Department initiative launched in 2006 to combat child sexual abuse and exploitation through coordinated federal, state, and local efforts.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie L. Wan is prosecuting the case. Patterson remains detained as the proceedings move forward. The charges are presumed not proven; a trial jury will determine guilt based on evidence presented in court.
RELATED: Jake Ethan Patterson Indicted in Child Pornography Case
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Key Facts
- State: Missouri
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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