Rochester man charged with online sex crimes [Video]

ROCHESTER, Minn. — A 43-year-old man is charged in what Rochester police described as the department’s largest cyber investigation into child abuse material.

Prosecutors say John Timmerman, of Rochester, communicated with at least 169 minors throughout the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, Nigeria and other countries, and coerced them into sending him sexual material. Investigators say he would also tell them to engage in online sexual conduct. Timmerman was arrested Tuesday after months of investigating.

“Sex crimes cases like this are extremely complex and incredibly horrendous, and unfortunately, we are seeing an increase in them,” Police Chief Jim Franklin said on social media following the arrest.

According to the criminal complaint, Timmerman would create profiles on social media pretending to be a minor. He would request that they send him photos and videos, and then threatened to send …