Jason Earl Kirkland Convicted of Attempting to Entice Minor to Engage in Sexual Activity

A federal jury in Tallahassee has convicted Jason Earl Kirkland, 44, of Cottonwood, Alabama of attempted enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity and interstate travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. The guilty verdict, returned yesterday, at the conclusion of a two-day trial, was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

"There is no greater charge than the protection of our children," stated U.S. Attorney Coody. "This multi-agency investigation and the related prosecution is yet another example of the unwavering commitment to the protection of our most vulnerable and should serve as a significant deterrent to those who would attempt to harm them. We will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute those who engage in such heinous conduct."

In May 2021, investigators from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Panama City Beach Police, Walton County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and Homeland Security Investigations conducted an undercover online operation to identify individuals seeking to engage in sexual activity with minors. Evidence introduced during the trial revealed that on May 12, 2021, a person with the username "Mark from Cottonwood" and who claimed to be 41 years old, later identified as Jason Earl Kirkland, sent a private message to an undercover (UC) law enforcement profile, claiming to be a 14-year-old girl located in Marianna, Florida, using a social media and messaging application.

Kirkland and the UC officer exchanged several messages before having voice communications over the phone and through text messaging. The internet is a dangerous place for sexual predators who choose innocent children as their victims when it’s an undercover agent on the other end," said HSI Jacksonville Assistant Special Agent in Charge K. Jim Phillips.

On May 13, 2021, Kirkland resumed contact with the UC, where the conversation became sexual in nature and Kirkland expressed his desire to engage in sexual acts with the UC (who he believed to be a 14-year-old girl). Kirkland also sent a nude photograph of himself and of his genitals to the UC through text messages. Kirkland then traveled to Marianna, Florida to meet the UC so he could drive her back to his residence to engage in sexual activity. Kirkland was arrested upon his arrival at the designated meeting location.

Jason Earl Kirkland’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 7, 2022, at 1:30 p.m., at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee. Defendant: Jason Earl Kirkland, Charges: Attempted Enticement of a Minor, State: Florida, Year: 2021, Sentence: To be determined.

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