Blackfoot man accused of soliciting sexually explicit videos changes plea

A Blackfoot man accused of soliciting sexually explicit videos from over a hundred people, many of them underage girls, was back in court Friday.

20-year-old Shae James Rolfe appeared before of Judge Dane Watkins in 7th District Court to change his plea to guilty of one count of felony sexual exploitation of a child.

In exchange for his plea, the state will drop the sexual battery charge and three charges of sexual exploitation by possessing sexual exploitive material.

Rolfe also admitted his guilt in the 2014 sexual exploitation of a child when he was also a juvenile.

He was charged with that crime four years ago, but this is the first time it has gone before a judge.

Blackfoot police began investigating Rolfe on Aug. 22 after receiving a report he was soliciting underage children to send him videos of themselves performing sex acts.

According to the probable cause report, Rolfe would promise the minor children he would pay them $5,000 if they would send him sexually explicit videos, and then threaten to post the videos online if they didn’t pay him.

Judge Watkins said he will order a psychosexual evaluation along with the pre-sentencing report. Rolf could face 40 years in prison and $60,000 in fines.

Rolfe will undergo a psychosexual evaluation before he is sentenced in May.

The plea is only related to the charges in Idaho. He may still face federal charges.

You can view our previous story HERE.