Rochester man charged after 'Predator Poachers' reported him to Rochester Police Department

On March 7, the Rochester Police Department was alerted by the Houston-based organization Predator Poachers, which focuses on apprehending child predators, about an individual named Jason Allen Jerde. The group had been posing as a 13-year-old girl online and had been in contact with Jerde, leading to concerns about his behavior.

Following an investigation, Jerde, 42, was charged on March 27 in Olmsted County District Court with several felonies, including soliciting a child to engage in sexual conduct and distributing electronic communications describing sexual conduct with a minor. His next court appearance is scheduled for May 7.

The Predator Poachers had initially contacted Jerde through the messaging app Kik and Instagram, using software to identify him as a resident of Rochester. According to the criminal complaint, Jerde had even made a hotel reservation for a meeting with the purported girl on March 5, although he later canceled it.

On March 7, a member of Predator Poachers confronted Jerde about his interactions, recording the encounter and subsequently sharing it with law enforcement. Investigators reviewed communications between Jerde and the posed persona, which included sexual language and admissions regarding his viewing of child sexual abuse materials.

Law enforcement executed a search warrant on Jerde's residence on March 26, where he surrendered his cell phone and admitted to accessing child sexual abuse material. The case highlights the ongoing issue of online child exploitation and the importance of reporting suspicious online behavior to authorities. Those affected by sexual exploitation can reach out to a crisis line for support at 507-289-0636.