Fresno County man Michael Dickens, 59, of Clovis, was today sentenced to 12.5 years in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston for his despicable act of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity.
Dickens was caught red-handed after communicating with what he thought was a 12-year-old victim using his cellphone and social media. The so-called ‘minor’ was actually an undercover officer. The predator, identified as Dickens, sent explicit images and video material to the undercover officer and attempted to meet at a prearranged location, where he was swiftly apprehended by law enforcement.
Prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brittany M. Gunter and Arin C. Heinz, the case is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse nationwide. This operation was a joint effort between Homeland Security Investigations and the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office.
U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced the sentence, emphasizing that such heinous acts will not go unpunished. ‘The community can rest assured that we are committed to protecting our children from predators like Dickens,’ Grant stated.
The case underscores the ongoing efforts of federal and local law enforcement agencies to crack down on individuals who use technology to exploit minors. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, concerned citizens are encouraged to visit www.usdoj.gov/psc, where resources for internet safety education are available under the ‘resources’ tab.
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Key Facts
- State: California
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes|Cybercrime|Public Corruption
- Source: Official Source ↗
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