Amontea Allen John Mitchell, 28, of Tallahassee, Florida, was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 9 for attempted enticement of a minor, attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The announcement was made by United States Attorney John P. Heekin for the Northern District of Florida.
Mitchell appeared for arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Martin A. Fitzpatrick in Tallahassee. His jury trial is scheduled for August 24 at 8:30 am before District Court Judge Mark E. Walker.
If convicted, Mitchell faces a minimum sentence of ten years in prison and up to life imprisonment on the attempted enticement charge, up to ten years on the attempted transfer charge, and up to fifteen years for possession of a firearm as a convicted felon.
The investigation involved Homeland Security Investigations, the Tallahassee Police Department, the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorneys Emma Schwan and Justin M. Keen are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is an allegation by a grand jury that does not constitute evidence of guilt; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood—a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat child sexual exploitation—coordinated through U.S. Attorneys’ Offices with state and local agencies working together to identify offenders and rescue victims.
The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida advances community safety across northern Florida’s 23 counties—including Tallahassee—by enforcing federal laws from offices in Tallahassee, Pensacola and Gainesville; collaborating with law enforcement agencies through initiatives such as Project Safe Childhood; defending national security; protecting civil rights; securing public funds; and serving under direction from the Department of Justice, according to the official website.