Jacob M. Rager, a 21-year-old from Columbus, Ohio, has pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to charges of sextortion and possession of child pornography. The court documents reveal that Rager extorted at least two female victims through social media platforms.
The case began in April 2023 when one of the victims reported to the FBI National Threat Operations Center that Rager had distributed nude photos of her taken when she was 17 years old. The victim had initially sent these images to Rager on Instagram in February and November 2022, with one instance involving a $15 payment.
In March 2023, Rager attempted to coerce the victim into sending more explicit images by threatening to share existing ones with her friends. When she refused, he followed through on his threat by sending the photos to one of her high school friends.
Later in October 2023, Rager contacted the victim again via TikTok with messages suggesting further exposure if she did not respond: “I have your nudes still. Reply unless you want me to expose you to everyone you know…”
The investigation uncovered a second victim whose explicit images were also shared by Rager. In October 2023, he sent this victim an Instagram link leading to a site containing folders named after Ohio University students, including hers. The content appeared sourced from Snapchat accounts.
Rager also created an Instagram account under the second victim's full name followed by "destruction," using it to threaten her: “i have your nudes still. unless you want me to show your friends, family and both your brothers i suggest you reply.”
Despite being aware of an ongoing federal investigation against him, Rager continued contacting the second victim through various TikTok and Instagram accounts.
A search of Rager's cell phone revealed additional child pornography involving minors aged approximately 10 to 15 years old engaged in explicit acts.
Federal law stipulates severe penalties for such offenses: possessing child pornography can result in up to 20 years imprisonment while using interstate communications for extortion carries a maximum sentence of two years. Sentencing will be determined by the court based on guidelines and statutory factors during a future hearing.
Kelly A. Norris, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Elena Iatarola, Special Agent in Charge at the FBI Cincinnati Division; and members of the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force announced today’s guilty plea before U.S. District Judge Algenon L. Marbley. Assistant United States Attorney Emily Czerniejewski is handling prosecution duties for this case.
