Roger B. Handberg, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida
A Lake County man has been indicted on charges related to the attempted enticement of a minor for sexual activity. United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced that Jared Menendez, 25, from Fruitland Park, faces charges of attempted enticement of a minor and attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor. If found guilty, Menendez could face a minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison for the enticement charge and up to life imprisonment. The charge for transferring obscene material carries a maximum sentence of 10 years.
The indictment alleges that between November 14 and December 20, 2024, Menendez tried to persuade an individual he believed was under the age of 18 to engage in sexual activity. It is important to note that an indictment is only a formal accusation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations along with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Janette Swartzberg will prosecute the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse. The project brings together resources from various levels of government to prosecute offenders and rescue victims.
For further details on Project Safe Childhood, information can be found at www.justice.gov/psc.
