On February 9, 2021, in the Western District of Washington, former Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Information Technology Specialist Rene Jacobs pled guilty to possession of child pornography.

According to the court documents, beginning no later than December 2019 through February 2020, from his home in Renton, Washington, Jacobs received, distributed, and possessed tens of thousands of visual depictions of minors engaged in sexual conduct. On February 21, 2020, Federal law enforcement seized from Jacobs' home several digital devices containing pornography videos and images of minors under 12 years of age. Each of these visual depictions had been mailed, shipped, or transported by computer via interstate or foreign commerce.

At sentencing, Jacobs could receive up to 20 years' imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000. Additionally, Jacobs must register as a sex offender in each jurisdiction he resides, works, or attends school. This investigation was worked jointly with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Source:  The facts in this case narrative come from the following publicly available documents: W.D. Wash., Plea Acceptance, February 9, 2021; W.D. Wash., Crim. Compl., March 16, 2020; and W.D. Wash., Plea Agr., January 25, 2021.