Adeis Jonathan Francis, age 25, has been indicted for attempting to entice a 13-year-old child to engage in sexual activity, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe on Mar. 13. If convicted, Francis faces a minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in federal prison, as well as the possibility of lifetime supervised release.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement to address online child exploitation. According to court documents, between February 17 and March 6, an undercover FBI agent posed as a 13-year-old using a social media application in Jacksonville and Pensacola. The agent communicated with an individual identified as "Jay," later determined to be Francis. After being told the supposed child's age, Francis continued the conversation, asked for photos, and discussed sexual acts he wanted to perform.
On March 5, Francis allegedly asked if the "child" was a virgin and texted explicit messages about showing her how to have sex. He also described specific sexual acts he intended to perform. The following day, after further discussion about meeting in person for sex, Francis traveled by bus from Jacksonville toward what he believed was the child's residence and was arrested by FBI agents.
Authorities remind the public that an indictment is only a formal charge; all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation offices in Jacksonville and Pensacola investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown is prosecuting it.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse through coordinated federal, state, and local resources.
