It is alleged that the firefighter communicated with at least 110 minors and coerced them into producing and sending child pornography.
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Rochester firefighter arrested on multiple child pornography charges
Victoria E. Freile
A Rochester firefighter has been arrested on multiple child pornography charges, federal officials announced Friday afternoon.
Brett Marrapese, 31, of Irondequoit, was charged with multiple counts of production, distribution, receipt and possession of child pornography. The charges include explicit material involving prepubescent minors under the age of 12, the U.S. Attorney's Office said in a news release.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle P. Rossi, who is overseeing the case, the investigation began after the
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received tips in January 2016 and November 2021 about an individual in Rochester uploading suspected child pornography online. The New York State Police allegedly traced the IP addresses to the "Committee Rochester FD 2%," which was associated with the Rochester Fire Department.
Fire department officials said that the City of Rochester imposes internet restrictions for RFD employees, but the RFD's "2% fund" provides separate on-site internet service for personal use, according to the news release.
During interviews conducted in 2016 and 2021, State Police questioned fire department employees with access to the service, including Marrapese, who both times denied any involvement with child pornography, according to officials.
On March 20, 2023, the Irondequoit Police Department received a report from the father of a 13-year-old girl, who had been communicating with an individual on Snapchat using the username "thatdude_2790" and the display name "Taylor." Investigations revealed that the child was persuaded to produce and send explicit images and videos. A second child was discovered to have communicated with "thatdude_2790" on Snapchat and Instagram, where explicit content was exchanged, federal officials said.
Law enforcement executed multiple search warrants, which led them to identify Marrapese as the user behind the "thatdude_2790" and "Taylorsimpson2419" accounts, according to the news release.
Marrapese is accused of communicating with at least 110 minors, including the two children identified as victims by federal authorities, and coercing them into producing and sending child pornography. Marrapese is accused of presenting himself as a teenager of a similar age to the minors, according to federal officials.
Search warrants were executed at Marrapese's residence, camper, vehicle and lockers at the Rochester Fire Department, resulting in the seizure of multiple digital devices, including a cellphone believed to be connected to the previous State Police investigation.
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, initial forensic analysis of Marrapese's phone revealed extensive communications where he allegedly persuaded minors to produce and send explicit photographs and videos. The phone also allegedly contained communications involving the production of child pornography and sexual abuse of children, surreptitiously recorded photographs of children, and edited images depicting sexual conduct between adults and children.
Authorities said they recovered 1,393 images and 121 videos of child pornography from Marrapese's mobile phone, some of which depict violent sexual abuse of toddlers.
Marrapese appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark W. Pedersen for an initial hearing and is currently being held pending a detention hearing. The investigation was conducted by the Irondequoit Police Department, under the direction of Chief Scott Peters, and the Federal Bureau.
Last week, City spokeswoman Barbara Pierce said that a firefighter was suspended with pay on June 13, pending the outcome of the investigation. On Friday, she said that Marrapese remains on suspension and that "employment actions will be taken in the coming days based on the allegations in the federal complaint against him."
The Rochester Fire Fighters Association, IAFF Local 1071, released a statement on Friday:
“Local 1071 is aware of the very serious and disturbing charges filed against Brett Marrapese today. However, IAFF Local 1071 does not have any further information beyond what has already been made public, as the union does not have any role in, or involvement with, the criminal case.”
If convicted, each count carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum of 30 years, and a fine of up to $250,000.
The FBI is asking anyone with information regarding Brett Marrapese, known on Instagram as "Taylorsimpson2419" (Screenname "Taylor"), and Snapchat as "Thatdude_2790" (Screenname "Taylor") to contact their tip line at (585) 279-0085.
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