McALLEN, Texas – Timinson Erin Jackson, 25, of McAllen, is headed to federal prison for a decade after pleading guilty to attempting to exploit a child. U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced the sentence today, a stark warning to anyone preying on the vulnerable.
U.S. District Judge Randy Crane handed down the 120-month sentence, followed by five years of supervised release. The terms of his release will include strict restrictions designed to keep him away from children and limit his access to the internet. Jackson will also be required to register as a sex offender, a label that will follow him for life.
The case unfolded between May 25, 2016, and June 3, 2016, when Jackson engaged in a disturbing online exchange with an individual he *believed* to be a 12-year-old girl. In reality, the person on the other end of the text messages was an undercover agent with Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). The conversations quickly revealed Jackson’s intent: to persuade, induce, and entice this “minor” into sexual activity.
On June 3, 2016, Jackson attempted to seal the deal, arranging a meeting at a park in McAllen. HSI agents were waiting. He was arrested upon arrival and immediately confessed to his intentions, admitting he planned to have sex with someone he thought was a 12-year-old. The brazen attempt to meet a child, even one posing as an adult, is a testament to the depravity of his actions.
Jackson remains in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility. The investigation was spearheaded by HSI, highlighting the agency’s dedication to combating online predators. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alex Benavides successfully prosecuted the case, framing it under the umbrella of Project Safe Childhood, a national initiative launched in 2006 to tackle the rising tide of child sexual exploitation.
Project Safe Childhood isn’t just about arrests and convictions; it’s about mobilizing federal, state, and local resources to find and protect victims. It’s a grim reminder that the fight against child exploitation is ongoing. For more information on Project Safe Childhood, visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. Resources for internet safety education can also be found on the same site.
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes|Cybercrime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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