United States of America v. Jonathan Warren Jones

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with enticement of a minor.



18 U.S.C. § 2422(b) is the federal law that makes it illegal to use the mail or any means of interstate or foreign commerce (including the internet) to entice, persuade, induce, or coerce a minor to engage in prostitution or any other criminal sexual activity



Attempting to do so is also a crime, and penalties can include imprisonment and fines. A conviction requires that the defendant knew the individual was under 18, or that the defendant believed they were, even if they were not.

What the law prohibits



Using interstate commerce: The act must involve using the mail, internet, telephone, or other means of interstate or foreign commerce.



Coercing or enticing a minor: It is a crime to persuade, induce, entice, or coerce a person under 18 to engage in prostitution or any other criminal sexual activity.



Attempting the act: The crime is complete even if the intended sexual activity does not occur.



Key aspects of the law



Under 18: The law specifically protects individuals under the age of 18.

Knowledge of minority: A person can be convicted if they knew the individual was a minor, or if they believed the individual was a minor, even if they were not (such as an undercover officer).

Attempt is a crime: The law covers both successful and attempted enticement, and a conviction can be obtained by proving the defendant took a "substantial step" toward committing the crime.

Scope of "sexual activity": The term "sexual activity" is broadly defined and includes any act that could be prosecuted as a criminal offense, including child pornography as defined in 18 U.S.C. § 2256(8).

Penalties: Penalties vary but can include imprisonment for not less than 10 years or up to life, as well as fines.



Examples of behavior covered by the law





Online communication with a minor to solicit sexual activity.

Arranging a meeting for sexual activity with a minor.

Distributing child pornography through the mail or internet.

IMPRISONMENT: 180 months. Sentence shall run concurrently with any sentence imposed in State Case # 24-6757-CF10A. SUPERVISED RELEASE: thirty (30) years.