JACKSONVILLE, FL – Jeremy Wayne Leggett, 37, of Jacksonville, Florida, is headed to federal prison for more than 17 years after attempting to lure a 13-year-old child for sexual activity. Chief United States District Judge Marcia Morales Howard handed down the 17-year, 6-month sentence, marking a significant blow against predators exploiting vulnerable children.
Leggett’s arrest on June 19, 2023, wasn’t his first brush with the law regarding child exploitation. Court records reveal he was previously convicted in Florida in 2020 of traveling to meet a minor for unlawful sexual purposes and distributing harmful materials. This repeat offense clearly demonstrated a pattern of predatory behavior, influencing the severity of the sentence.
The latest case unfolded when an undercover FBI agent, posing as a child in a social media application, identified Leggett – using the username “dAddi” – posting a brazen solicitation: “Lookingfor [under 18 emoji] wannaspoiladaughter.” Despite being informed the “child” was 13, Leggett didn’t hesitate. He immediately inquired about the “child’s” preference for older men and sent a photo of himself. His depravity didn’t stop there. He chillingly confessed to being a “pedophile” and proposed a meeting to perform oral sex in his vehicle.
The online conversations quickly escalated, with Leggett sending explicit photos and relentlessly attempting to persuade the undercover agent to meet. On June 19, 2023, a meeting was arranged at a Jacksonville retail shopping center. Leggett drove to the location, circling the parking lot in anticipation. When law enforcement attempted a traffic stop, he panicked, reversing his vehicle and attempting to flee. He was quickly apprehended by a combined force of Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office officers and FBI agents at a nearby residence.
Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown successfully prosecuted the case, which was a collaborative effort between the FBI, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. The investigation highlights the crucial role of multi-agency cooperation in combating online child exploitation. This case is another example of the Department of Justice’s commitment to protecting children through Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006.
Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to identify, apprehend, and prosecute those who prey on children. Leggett’s lengthy sentence sends a clear message: those who exploit children will be relentlessly pursued and face the full force of the law. Information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.justice.gov/psc.
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Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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