Washington man sentenced to 20 years for exploiting Oregon children on Discord

Jakob Joshua Stickney, a 26-year-old man from Battleground, Washington, has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for coercing and sexually exploiting three children through the social media platform Discord. Stickney, who used online aliases such as “UNHOLY,” engaged in sexually explicit communications with minors, convincing them to send him explicit material in exchange for membership in a Discord group called “Unholy Girls. ” His actions escalated when he attempted to meet one of the children in Oregon, prompting the child's mother to report him to the police. After his arrest, law enforcement seized his phone, which contained child sexual abuse material. The case, investigated by the FBI and Portland Police Bureau, underscores the growing issue of online child exploitation and the manipulation tactics used by offenders.

Discord has acknowledged the severity of the situation, emphasizing its commitment to child safety on its platform. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers children face in online environments and the critical need for protective measures. Authorities continue to encourage reporting of any suspected child exploitation to combat this pervasive issue.