EAST NORTHPORT RESIDENT CONVICTED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF A SMALL CHILD AND CREATION OF CHILD PORN

(SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY) – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced today that Dakota Rose, 25, of East Northport, pleaded guilty to sexual abuse of a 3-year-old child while videotaping the abuse and distributing the video.

“This defendant sexually exploited a young child and thought he could get away with it,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Thanks to the tipster who reported this heinous criminal activity to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), this defendant will be held accountable for his crimes and a young victim will be spared from having to testify in court.”

According to court documents and Rose’s admissions, on February 17, 2024, the Suffolk County Police Department’s Digital Forensics Unit received a tip from NCMEC that child sexual abuse material was being distributed via social media from a residence in East Northport. Further investigation led to police getting to Rose’s home.

On March 12, 2024, a search warrant was executed at Rose’s home, resulting in the seizure of numerous electronic devices. Investigators were able to identify both Rose and the toddler based on the widely circulated video on one of the confiscated electronic devices.

The investigation also led to the discovery of two additional child pornography videos on Rose’s phone, and it was determined that Rose had exchanged all three videos with other people via both social media and text messages, including at least once for money.

On September 30, 2024, Rose pleaded guilty before Acting Supreme Court Justice Karen M. Wilutis to abuse of a child in a sexual performance, a Class C felony, and first-degree sexual abuse, a Class D violent felony .

Rose is due back in court on November 14, 2024 and is represented by Scott Zerner, Esq. Rose is expected to receive a prison sentence of 7 to 15 years with 10 years of post-release supervision.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Tara Laterza of the Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Bureau and the investigation was led by Detective Gregory Pranzo of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Digital Forensics Unit.

###

Criminal charges and indictments are merely accusatory instruments.

The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Nobody is above the law.

725 Veterans Memorial Highway ● Building 77 ● Hauppauge, NY 11788 ● 631.852.3185

SuffolkCountyNY.gov/DA ● x.com/RayTierneyDA ● instagram.com/RayTierneyDA