A 54-year-old man, Jason Foster Frank, has been sentenced to 35 years in federal prison for attempted online enticement of a minor and possession of child pornography. The sentencing took place in Spokane, Washington, with United States District Judge Mary K. Dimke presiding. Frank will also serve a life term of supervised release and was ordered to pay $10,000 in restitution to one of his victims.
According to court documents, Frank responded to an online advertisement posted by undercover law enforcement in June 2023 that suggested two young girls were available for sex. Over the course of a week, Frank communicated with undercover officers posing as the girls' mother and arranged to meet for sex with the minors. He was arrested after arriving at a prearranged location in Stevens County.
Law enforcement found two phones in Frank’s vehicle. One phone had been used for communication with his probation officer; the other contained images and videos depicting child pornography involving very young children.
Frank has prior convictions from 2008 in Virginia on charges related to sexual offenses involving minors aged 13 to 15 years old. These convictions required him to register as a sex offender under both federal and state laws.
United States Attorney Pete Serrano commented on the outcome: “Today’s sentence of 35 years of a 54-year-old man demonstrates the seriousness of Mr. Frank’s actions. It also shows our office’s efforts to ensure that Mr. Frank will not have a chance harm another child. We’re thankful to our partner agencies for their great investigation and to the Judge for sentencing Mr. Frank in a way that protects the children of our communities.”
Stevens County Sheriff Brad Manke said, “Cases such as this are a perfect example of what cooperation between local, State, and Federal partners can yield. Coming together as a team, we were able to take a potentially dangerous predator off the streets. The Stevens County Sheriff's Office values the relationship we have with all our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners.”
April Miller, acting Special Agent in Charge at HSI Seattle stated: “Frank’s 35-year sentence ensures he can no longer act upon his disturbing sickness and harm children. This case proves our team of law enforcement professionals and partners will relentlessly pursue anyone who targets the innocent.”
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ann T. Wick following an investigation led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Stevens County Sheriff’s Office, which resulted in both federal charges and charges filed by the Stevens County Prosecutor’s Office.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice aimed at combating child sexual exploitation through coordinated federal, state, and local resources across the country. More information about Project Safe Childhood is available at https://www.justice.gov/psc.
