Local Man Arrested for Online Enticement of a Minor

Jacksonville, Florida – In a disturbing case of online exploitation, Jeremy Lee Hughes, a 41-year-old man from Brunswick, Georgia, has been arrested and charged with attempting to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity online.

According to the complaint, between April 1 and April 6, 2016, Hughes engaged in a series of online conversations with a person he believed to be a 14-year-old girl. This ‘child’ was actually an undercover officer from the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office.

During the conversations, Hughes described various types of sexual activity to the ‘child’ and indicated his desire and intent to meet the ‘child’ for sex at her residence. On April 6, 2016, Hughes drove from Jacksonville to a location in St. Johns to meet the ‘child’ for sex and was arrested.

During an interview, Hughes acknowledged texting with the ‘child’ about engaging in graphic sexual acts. This case is just one example of the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.

Hughes faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison. He is currently in custody on related state charges. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.

Defendant Name: Jeremy Lee Hughes

Criminal Charges: Using the Internet to attempt to entice a person he believed to be a minor to engage in sexual activity

City and State: Jacksonville, Florida

Exact Date: April 6, 2016

Sentence or Outcome: Currently in custody on related state charges

Defendant’s Current Status: In custody on related state charges

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