MADISON MAN SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR RECEIPT OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Brian Scott Rupe, 40, formerly of Madison, Florida, was sentenced to five years in federal prison for receipt of child pornography. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Accessing and distributing child sexual abuse material has the effect of re-victimizing the minors exploited in those horrific images and videos each and every time they are viewed. Stopping that cycle of victimization remains one of my office’s top priorities, and we will continue to aggressively prosecute to the fullest extent of the law the sick individuals who peddle in child porn.”

Court documents reflect that in July 2024, an investigation into the defendant began when law enforcement discovered the defendant appeared to be sharing child pornography using a peer-to-peer network. Following a search of his residence, the defendant admitted to viewing and downloading child pornography.  Law enforcement seized the defendant’s cell phone and conducted a forensic examination of it. A search of the phone revealed approximately 3,000 illegal images and videos.

The defendant’s imprisonment will be followed by ten years of supervised release. Additionally, the defendant was ordered to pay $75,000 in restitution to victims and he will be required to register as a sex offender.  

“The discovery of a 3,000-image collection of vile imagery and videos in this case highlights the depravity of this individual’s actions,” said HSI Tallahassee Assistant Special Agent in Charge Nicholas Ingegno. “This sentencing underscores HSI’s dedication to protecting children from predators who exploit and victimize them. Through the relentless work of our agents and law enforcement partners, we have ensured that this predator is held accountable and removed from our communities. HSI will continue to pursue those who prey on the most vulnerable members of our society with unwavering resolve.”

The case involved a joint investigation by the Leon County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Meredith L. Steer.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice and led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), it marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General.  To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.