Dawaun Shunard Jackson, 40, of Tallahassee, Florida, was sentenced in federal court to 20 years in prison for one count of attempted enticement of a minor and one count of penalties for registered sex offenders, according to an announcement by United States Attorney John P. Heekin for the Northern District of Florida on July 21.
U.S. Attorney John P. Heekin said, “This predator has clearly shown from his repeated crimes that the only way we can guarantee the safety of our children from his continued sexual deviance is by keeping him locked away in federal prison. My office is happy to oblige, and he’ll spend the next two decades behind bars. I deeply appreciate the excellent, collaborative work of the Tallahassee Police Department and the FBI to identify and stop offenders, like this defendant, from harming our kids, and my office will back up their great work with aggressive prosecutions to keep those sexual predators off our streets.”
Court documents show that between November 20 and 22, 2025, law enforcement agencies including the Tallahassee Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted an undercover operation targeting individuals using the internet to sexually exploit children. An undercover officer posed as a 15-year-old girl online; Jackson responded to an ad posted by this officer on a website known for escort solicitations. According to court records, Jackson believed he was communicating with a minor child and offered money in exchange for sex before arranging a meeting in Tallahassee. After his arrest as part of this operation—and after it was determined he was already a registered sex offender—his cell phone was seized as evidence; investigators confirmed communication with someone believed by Jackson to be underage.
After serving his term of imprisonment, Jackson will be subject to lifetime supervised release and must continue registering as a sexual offender.
Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell said, “Children should never become the target of someone seeking to exploit them. Our investigators work alongside our federal partners every day to identify offenders, intervene before they can harm a child, and hold them accountable. This sentence sends a clear message that those who prey on children will be relentlessly pursued and brought to justice.”
FBI Jacksonville Special Agent in Charge Jason Carley said, “Predators who target children should know there is no place to hide. Protecting children from sexual exploitation remains one of the FBI’s highest priorities. The FBI, alongside our partners, will use every resource available to identify, investigate and bring child predators to justice.”
The case involved collaboration between multiple agencies including Project Safe Childhood—a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice aimed at combating child sexual exploitation online—and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Justin M. Keen.
The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida covers 23 counties including Tallahassee through offices located at U.S. courthouses in Tallahassee, Pensacola and Gainesville; enforces federal laws; defends national security; protects civil rights; secures public funds; advances community safety; collaborates with law enforcement agencies through initiatives such as Project Safe Childhood; operates under direction from the Attorney General as part of the United States Department of Justice across northern Florida, according to the official website.