Columbus man continued to sextort teens during FBI investigation
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A Columbus man pleaded guilty to sextorting multiple minors through social media and could face 20-plus years in prison.
According to The United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Ohio, 21-year-old Jacob Rager pleaded guilty to sextorting at least two females and possessing child pornography.
Court documents state that in April 2023, one of Rager’s victims contacted the FBI National Threat Operations Center to report the distribution of nude photos of her when she was 17 years old. She reported that she had communicated with Rager on Instagram and sent nude photos of herself on two occasions – once in February 2022 and again in November of that year. She said she received $15 on one occasion.
The Attorney’s Office release said that in March 2023, Rager told the victim to send additional photos, or else he would forward the prior photos to her friends. When she did not comply, Rager sent the images to a high school friend of the victim.
In October 2023 Rager contacted the victim via TikTok, stating, “I have your nudes still. Reply unless you want me to expose you to everyone you know.”
During an investigation into Rager, FBI agents became aware of another victim whose nude images were distributed by Rager.
Investigators discovered that Rager sent the second victim a link on her Instagram account in October 2023 that connected to a mega site containing 70 folders. The folders were named after girls who attended Ohio University, including a folder of the victim. The images of videos of the females appeared to have been saved from the Snapchat account of each person.
In addition, Rager created an Instagram account titled with the full name of the second victim and ending with the word “destruction.” He reportedly messaged the victim from this account saying, “i have your nudes still. unless you want me to show your friends, family and both your brothers i suggest you reply. im gonna make an example out of you if you don’t reply.”
The Attorney’s Office said that even ever Rager was contacted by the FBI and learning of the pending investigation, he continued to contact the second victim via TikTok and Instagram.
A search of Rager’s cell phone revealed that he possessed other sexually explicit child pornography photos of females ages approximately 10 to 15 years old.
Rager faces a maximum sentence of 20 years for the possession of child pornography and an additional two years for using interstate communications to extort. A sentencing has yet to be scheduled.