Jason R. Coody, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida
Amani Lawrence, a 27-year-old resident of Panama City Beach, Florida, was indicted by a federal grand jury on April 13 for attempted enticement of a minor, according to United States Attorney John P. Heekin for the Northern District of Florida.
Lawrence appeared in federal court before United States Magistrate Judge Charles A. Stampelos in Tallahassee for his arraignment. The jury trial is set to begin on May 26 before District Judge Mark E. Walker.
If convicted, Lawrence faces a sentence ranging from ten years up to life imprisonment. The investigation into the case was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the Panama City Beach Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Justin M. Keen is prosecuting the case.
Officials noted that an indictment is only an allegation by a grand jury and does not constitute evidence of guilt. "All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial," the statement said.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative started in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. The program brings together federal, state, and local resources to address child sexual exploitation and abuse online. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices serving as principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. Public court documents are available through the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website.
