Honk News – A man from Rochester is confronting legal charges related to the possession and distribution of child sexual abuse materials following an investigation by local police into a cybertip received in October, as indicated by charges filed on Monday, Dec. 30.
Joel Alan Ashbacher, 44, faces serious charges including one count of distributing explicit material, three counts related to the possession of child sexual abuse material, and one count of engaging in prostitution, all classified as felonies.
A warrant was issued for Ashbacher this past Monday. As of December 31, there are currently no hearings on the calendar.
The criminal complaint reveals that on October 18, 2024, the Rochester Police Department was alerted through a cybertip regarding a man’s solicitation of minors. A tip revealed the identity of a minor who was approached and included Ashbacher’s contact number. Authorities had knowledge of Ashbacher’s connection to a 2022 cybertip concerning CSAM, which ultimately did not lead to any criminal charges.
In November, authorities apprehended him as he exited his home in northwest Rochester, according to the complaint. Ashbacher shared his email addresses and phone number with the officers, which corresponded with the number given in the cybertip. He rejected any knowledge of the individual mentioned in the alert.
Ashbacher informed law enforcement that it had been some time since he requested individuals to share sexually explicit images or videos, noting that he utilized Grindr or Scruff, two social networking platforms. He subsequently refuted claims of soliciting a minor for photos or videos, as well as allegations of offering money for nude images and videos.
The complaint states that Ashbacher engaged in sexual activity at his home with a young male whom he thought was 18 years old. Ashbacher stated that he did not provide the individual with money for sexual services, but he did offer financial assistance for food instead.
During a search of Ashbacher’s home and electronic devices, authorities discovered 117 images and videos featuring CSAM. A law enforcement officer subsequently discovered a multitude of conversations involving Ashbacher and various other parties. Ashbacher informed a user that he was aware the male was under 18 and that he engaged in sexual activity with him regardless.
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In early December, law enforcement engaged with the individual referenced in the cybertip. According to the complaint, he informed the authorities that Ashbacher compensated him between $150 and $300, with occasional offers reaching $500 for various sexual activities. Ashbacher inquired whether the male was aware of any younger boys willing to participate in sexual activities.
The authorities sought a warrant as Ashbacher had been spotted at his residence only once since the execution of the search warrant for his person, home, vehicle, and electronic devices.