Jay Clayton, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and James Crowley, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Division of the FBI, announced the arrest of David Fernandes III. Fernandes faces charges for sending obscene material to a minor while being a registered sex offender. He was apprehended on May 1 and appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith C. McCarthy in White Plains federal court on May 2.
U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton stated: "Allegedly, David Fernandes III, a registered sex offender, was not deterred by his previous involvement with the criminal justice system. This case underlines the urgent need for law enforcement to continue its efforts to protect children. The women and men of the Southern District and the FBI will use every tool available to investigate and prosecute those who sexually exploit children."
FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge James Crowley commented: "Anyone willing to sexually exploit children deserves to feel the full force of the law. The FBI has arrested David Fernandes, a registered sex offender, for sending sexually explicit material to an 11-year-old child in Massachusetts. Each time we’re able to step in and protect a child from further sexual exploitation, it’s a good day."
According to allegations filed on April 29, 2025, Fernandes transmitted an obscene photo to an 11-year-old on October 8, 2024. At that time, he was required to register as a sex offender due to a prior conviction in New York state for disseminating indecent material to a minor.
The mother of Victim-1 reported finding explicit images and communications on her child's phone with someone using a phone number ending in 4245. A forensic review revealed over 4000 messages exchanged between October 4 and October 8, including sexually explicit content.
Victim-2 informed law enforcement about communication with "David" through platforms like Snapchat and Roblox since September 2024. She disclosed that "David" requested explicit content from her.
Authorities urge anyone who may have encountered Fernandes or whose child might have communicated with him using usernames such as “tazjazz,” “diamondboy24k,” “itsmagikyouknow,” or “retrovxrse” on Snapchat to contact the FBI at their hotline.
Fernandes is charged with transferring obscene material to a minor and committing this offense while required to register as a sex offender. These charges carry potential sentences totaling up to twenty years if convicted.
The investigation involved multiple agencies including FBI divisions in New York and Boston, Holden Police Department, Dutchess County Sheriff's Office, Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department, and U.S. Attorney’s Office for Massachusetts.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Marcia S. Cohen is leading the prosecution handled by the White Plains Division office.
The charges are accusations at this stage; Fernandes is presumed innocent until proven guilty.