OCALA, Fla. — A Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Orlando investigation has led to the indictment of a Florida man for attempted enticement of a minor.
Christopher Shaun Jonas, 32, of Ocala, faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years and up to life in federal prison. The indictment was returned Aug. 6.
According to court records, on July 23, Jonas contacted a profile on an internet app designed for prostitution. This profile, however, was operated by a Marion County Sheriff’s Office undercover detective. The undercover detective told Jonas that she was a 13-year-old girl and Jonas described in graphic detail the sexual acts that he wanted her to perform on him. Jonas subsequently agreed to pick up the child for the sexual encounter at a location in Marion County. When Jonas arrived, however, law enforcement arrested him. Investigators found the cellphone Jonas had used to communicate with the undercover detective inside his vehicle.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case is being investigated by HSI Orlando and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Hannah Nowalk.
To report information about human trafficking, child sexual abuse or the trafficking in child sexual abuse material contact the HSI Tip Line at 877-4-HSI-TIP or through the CyberTipline on the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children's website.