Lawrence Jones, 29, Indicted for Sex Trafficking and Exploitation of a Minor

A Toledo man has been charged with sex trafficking and sexual exploitation of a child after taking and advertising sexually explicit photos of a minor on the Internet and facilitating dozens of commercial sex acts, said U.S. Attorney Carole S. Rendon and FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony.

Lawrence Jones, 29, met the minor through social media after the girl had run away from home. Jones then transported the girl to a home on Coventry Avenue in Toledo, where he took nude photographs of her and posted them online, offering commercial sex acts in the Toledo area in January, according to court documents.

The minor performed approximately 25 commercial sex acts, with all the money going to Jones. The minor told Jones several times that she was not yet 18 years old, according to court documents.

U.S. Attorney Rendon warned that the exploitation of children is a serious crime that will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. "We will continue to work tirelessly to identify and prosecute those who prey on our most vulnerable citizens," she said.

FBI Special Agent in Charge Anthony added, "The FBI and our partners are committed to protecting children from exploitation and abuse. We urge anyone with information about this crime to come forward and assist us in bringing those responsible to justice."

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Toledo office and the Northwest Ohio Violent Crimes Against Children Task Force. The case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alissa M. Sterling and Daniel R. Hurley.

It is essential to note that an indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Defendants are entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

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