Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced that Dakota Rose, a 25-year-old resident of East Northport, has pleaded guilty to charges related to the sexual abuse of a toddler and the creation of child pornography. Rose admitted guilt to charges of Use of a Child in a Sexual Performance and Sexual Abuse in the First Degree.
"This defendant sexually exploited a young child and thought he could get away with it," stated District Attorney Tierney. "Thanks to the tipster who reported this vile criminal activity to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), this defendant will be held responsible for his crimes and a young victim will be spared from having to testify at trial."
The investigation began on February 17, 2024, when the Suffolk County Police Department Digital Forensics Unit received information from NCMEC about alleged dissemination of child sexual abuse material via social media from an East Northport residence. This led law enforcement officials to Rose's home.
A search warrant executed on March 12, 2024, resulted in the seizure of several electronic devices from Rose's residence. Investigators identified both Rose and the toddler depicted in one of the videos found on these devices.
Further examination revealed two more videos containing child pornography on Rose's phone. It was determined that all three videos were exchanged with others through social media and text messages, including at least one instance where money was involved.
On September 30, 2024, before Acting Supreme Court Justice Karen M. Wilutis, Rose pleaded guilty to both charges: Use of a Child in a Sexual Performance, classified as a Class C felony, and Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, classified as a Class D Violent felony.
Rose is scheduled to return to court on November 14, 2024. He is represented by Scott Zerner, Esq., and faces an expected sentence ranging from seven to fifteen years in prison along with ten years of post-release supervision.
Assistant District Attorney Tara Laterza from the Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Bureau is prosecuting this case. Detective Gregory Pranzo from the Suffolk County Police Department Digital Forensics Unit conducted the investigation.