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Date: 01-21-2022
Case Style:
Case Number: 1:20-cr-00064-MR-WCM
Judge: Martin Reidinger
Court: United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina (Buncomb County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: United States Attorney’s Office
Defendant's Attorney:
Description: Asheville, North Carolina criminal defense attorney represented defendant charged with possession of child porn.
Jacob Daylen Ross, 47, of Marion, N.C., was convicted on five counts of production of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography
“Ross’s lengthy sentence reflects the depravity of his actions,” said U.S. Attorney King. “Perpetrators who rely on the anonymity of the internet to skirt our nation’s laws and engage in webcam sex tourism, or any other lewd conduct harmful to minors, ought to know that federal prosecutors and our law enforcement counterparts will do whatever it takes to protect all children – within our borders and beyond.”
“This sentence sends a strong message that HSI and our law enforcement partners are unified in our shared commitment to protect children here and abroad from predators such as Ross,” said Special Agent in Charge Martinez. “Thanks to the unique global investigative reach of HSI, coupled with the outstanding work of our special agents and the detectives with the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office and federal prosecutors, we have ensured that Ross is being held fully accountable for his horrific actions.”
“I am very proud of the dedicated efforts from our investigators. These types of crimes that prey on our children sicken me. Our children depend on others to keep them safe and protect them, not hurt them. I appreciate our relationships with our federal partners, the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and appreciate their attention to such heinous crimes,” said Sheriff Buchanan.
According to filed court documents, evidence presented at Ross’s trial and yesterday’s sentencing hearing, in June 2020, law enforcement became aware that Ross was involved in the online sexual exploitation of children overseas. As trial evidence established, Ross paid individuals abroad in exchange for livestream videos depicting children being sexually abused. Specifically, the evidence showed that Ross communicated via the WhatsApp messenger application with a woman residing in the Philippines on multiple occasions and paid the woman to sexually abuse her young children while Ross watched a livestream video of the abuse. A forensic analysis of Ross’s seized cell phone revealed that he possessed 28 images of child pornography, which were screenshots taken during a livestream video chat. Furthermore, law enforcement located in Ross’s Google accounts additional screenshot images of the livestreamed sexual abuse of children.
Ross is currently in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.
In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King commended HSI and the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office for their investigation of this case and thanked the Wilkes County Sheriff’s Office for their invaluable assistance.
18:2251(a) - SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN
(1ss)
18:2251(a) - SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN
(2ss)
18:2251(a) - SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN
(3ss)
18:2251(a) - SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN
(4ss)
18:2251(a) - SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN
(5ss)
18:2252A(a)(5)(B) - ACTIVITIES RE MATERIAL CONSTITUTING/CONTAINING CHILD PORNO
(6ss)
Outcome: 01/24/2022 55 JUDGMENT as to Jacob Daylen Ross (1): Defendant sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 360 months as to each of Counts 1ss-5ss, and 240 months as to Count 6ss. 300 months in each of the sentences in Counts 2ss, 3ss, and 5ss shall be served concurrently with Count 1ss, with the remaining 60 months per count to be served consecutively to all other counts; and 240 months in Count 4ss shall be served concurrently with Count 1ss, with the remaining 120 months to be served consecutively to all other counts; and with the 240 months as to Count 6ss to be served concurrently with Count 1ss, resulting in an aggregate TOTAL OF 660 MONTHS IMPRISONMENT. Defendant shall be on supervised release for a term of LIFE as to each of Counts 1ss-6ss, all such terms to run concurrently, and shall pay a $600 assessment. Signed by Chief Judge Martin Reidinger on 1/24/2022. (khm) Modified text on 1/24/2022. NEF Regenerated. (khm) (Entered: 01/24/2022)
01/24/2022 56 STATEMENT OF REASONS (Sealed - Attorney) re: 55 Judgment (available to: USA, Jacob Daylen Ross). Signed by Chief Judge Martin Reidinger on 1/24/2022. (khm) (Entered: 01/24/2022)
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments: