PITTSBURGH, PA - A former resident of West Virginia, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of Attempted Coercion and Enticement of a Minor to Engage in Illegal Sexual Activity and Travel with Intent to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
The two-count Indictment named Jason W. Lynn, age 40, as the sole defendant.
According to Indictment, from on or about April 4, 2019 until on or about May 3, 2019, Lynn used a facility and means of interstate commerce, specifically the Internet and a cellular telephone network, to knowingly attempt to persuade, induce, entice and coerce a minor to engage in sexual activity. The Indictment further alleges that on or about May 3, 2019, Lynn traveled with the intent to engage in illicit sexual contact with a minor.
The law provides for a minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years up to a maximum total sentence of life in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorneys Shanicka L. Kennedy and Heidi M. Grogan are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The FBI conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
