Local

Former JSO emergency dispatcher sentenced to 60 years in prison

Jacksonville, Fla. — Scott Matthew Yotka was sentenced this week to 60 years in federal prison for producing and distributing photos and a video of himself sexually abusing two young children.

According to court documents, Yotka, 48, engaged in private conversations on social media with an undercover FBI task force officer in Washington, D.C.

Using the name “Scottnjax44″, Yotka discussed in graphic detail how he enjoyed molesting children and sent the undercover officer pictures and a video of him doing it.

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The FBI traced this online messaging to Yotka’s home in Jacksonville and also determined that the same “Scottnjax44″ user account was accessed from the City of Jacksonville offices located in the Ed Ball Building Downtown.

Agents then coordinated with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and confirmed that Yotka was at that time employed by JSO as a Police Emergency Communications Officer.

In September 2021, a federal search warrant was obtained for Yotka’s residence and he was arrested.

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Yotka admitted his crimes, telling investigators “I know what I did,” and “I’m not proud of what I did.”

“The exploitation of children requires swift and aggressive law enforcement action, which is exactly what occurred in this case,” said Sherri E. Onks, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Jacksonville. “Our children are among the most vulnerable members of our community, and the FBI works diligently alongside our partners to locate individuals who seek to harm them. All predators, especially those in positions of community service, should know that we will stop at nothing to find and stop you, and seek justice for innocent victims.”

Yotka pleaded guilty in May 2022.

In addition to a 60-year prison sentence, he was ordered to serve a lifetime term of supervised release and register as a sex offender.

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