ALEXANDRIA, Va. - James Aubrey Brown, IV, 40, of Woodbridge, was convicted today by a federal jury on charges of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor.
According to court records and evidence at trial, Brown responded to a Craigslist ad purportedly posted by a 13 year-old girl living on Marine Corps Base Quantico. Over a period of 12 days and an exchange of over 275 emails, Brown repeatedly pressed the girl to meet and engage in sexual acts, including oral and vaginal sex. He also solicited nude photos of the girl. Ultimately, he arranged to come to Marine Corps Base Quantico to have sex with the girl. Over email, he directed her as to what to wear and what do when he arrived. On the morning of Sept. 14, 2015, Brown arrived at the meeting location where he was arrested for attempting to persuade a person he believed to be a 13 year-old to engage in sexual activity that would be criminal under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Brown was indicted on Dec. 1, 2015, and faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison when sentenced on June 24, 2016. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; and Darrell Gilliard, Special Agent in Charge of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) Washington D.C. Field Office, made the announcement after the verdict was accepted by U.S. District Judge Liam O’Grady. Assistant U.S. Attorney Whitney Dougherty Russell and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Longobardo are prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:15-cr-342.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
