A man from Navajo, New Mexico, has been sentenced to 17 years in federal prison for the sexual exploitation of a minor. Dustin Rockmen, 33, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, was found guilty of using text messages and social media to engage a minor in illegal sexual activities between February and April 2021.

Court documents revealed that Rockmen sent communications via text and Facebook to persuade the victim, who was under 18 years old, to participate in sexual acts. He further threatened her to continue these acts, distributed an image involving the victim and himself, and sent pornographic material to her.

Following his prison term, Rockmen will undergo five years of supervised release. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez alongside Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The case was investigated by the Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office with support from the Navajo Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert James Booth II is prosecuting under Project Safe Childhood—a nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse.

Project Safe Childhood seeks to locate and prosecute offenders exploiting children online while identifying and rescuing victims. More information can be found at Justice.gov/PSC.