Zachary T. Lee Acting United States Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Virginia
A Catawba, Virginia resident was arrested in North Carolina on charges related to the attempted coercion and enticement of a minor. Jacob Ryan Barnett, 34, was taken into custody by FBI agents following a federal criminal complaint and is scheduled for an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Roanoke early next week.
“While the charges against Mr. Barnett are just allegations at this point, the facts presented do serve as a reminder for all parents to be aware of what their children are doing online,” United States Attorney C. Todd Gilbert said today. “Our kids occupy a world where those seeking to harm them have countless avenues, like TikTok, Discord, Snapchat and others, to reach across vast distances directly into their bedrooms. Please, monitor their online activity, talk to them about the dangers that are out there, and let them know how to report folks who try to exploit them online.”
Ann Busby, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Division, commented on the case: “The heinous crimes Barnett is charged with are what keep parents up at night. Educating our kids and communities about the threats posed by faceless, online personas is crucial to maintaining their safety. Working with our partners, FBI Richmond will bring the full weight of the justice system on anyone who attempts to harm our children. The FBI will never stop searching for these predators and bringing justice for victims.”
Court records indicate that the investigation began after the FBI received information about an individual attempting to groom a 15-year-old girl in Michigan. Agents determined that on May 18, 2025, the victim was first contacted via TikTok by someone using the name “Jodie Johnson,” who appeared to be a teenage boy. After exchanging phone numbers and communicating over several days, “Johnson” persuaded her to send sexually explicit material.
Further investigation linked both the TikTok account and associated phone number used by “Jodie Johnson” back to Barnett in Catawba. Authorities noted that Barnett’s account followed thousands of minor girls and that he also used Discord and Snapchat accounts while posing as a teenager to solicit explicit material from other minors.
If convicted on these charges, Barnett faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in prison with a maximum penalty of life imprisonment; sentencing would be determined by a federal judge according to statutory guidelines.
United States Attorney C. Todd Gilbert and Ann Busby announced the arrest jointly. The Federal Bureau of Investigation continues its investigation into this matter.
Assistant United States Attorney Drew O. Inman is prosecuting this case.
Officials emphasized that criminal complaints are allegations only; all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in court.
