Man posed as 'sugar daddy' on Instagram to threaten children for explicit photos

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – A man will spend more than 10 years in federal prison after he was found guilty of using Instagram to receive and send sexually explicit photos of children.

Solomon Dean Cook, 21, had two accounts that he used to pose as a “sugar daddy” that offered large sums of money to children in exchange for inappropriate photos. 

“Once the victims agreed, Cook’s demands for sexually explicit materials escalated, and he threatened to release images of the victims if they did not comply with his demands,” according to investigators. 

In January 2022, a parent told the FBI that an Instagram user had convinced her daughter to send an explicit photo of herself. According to court documents, the user, who was later identified as Cook, threatened he would share the girl’s provocative photo if she didn’t send more.

While interviewing the girl, investigators learned of a second child whom Cook had allegedly exploited. Authorities also said the girl revealed that Cook had posted photos of both children nude to his Instagram story.

A federal search warrant was executed at Cook’s residence in Portland in May 2022 after the FBI connected him to the accounts. Officials said he admitted to exploiting the reporting minor as well as other victims, prompting his arrest.

Investigators also searched Cook’s phone, where they found sexually explicit images of five minor victims and several adult victims.

In September 2024, Cook pleaded guilty to three counts of enticing a minor online and one count of possessing child pornography.

He will serve 121 months in federal prison followed by 10 years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $103,000 as restitution to his victims.

Anyone with information about the physical or online exploitation of children are urged to contact the FBI at 1-800-225-5324 or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.