Adeis Jonathan Francis, age 25, has been indicted for attempting to entice a 13-year-old child to engage in sexual activity, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe on Mar. 13. If convicted, Francis faces a minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in federal prison, as well as the possibility of lifetime supervised release.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement to address online child exploitation and protect minors from harm. The indictment follows an undercover operation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Jacksonville and Pensacola between February 17 and March 6, during which an FBI agent posed as a 13-year-old using a social media application.
According to court documents, Francis communicated with the undercover agent—who was posing as the child—through online messages and text messaging after being informed that the “child” was only 13 years old. During these exchanges, Francis allegedly asked if the “child” was comfortable talking with him and requested photos. On March 5, he reportedly asked if she was a virgin and sent explicit messages describing sexual acts he wanted to perform.
After further conversations about meeting in person for sex, Francis traveled by bus from Jacksonville on March 6 to what he believed was the child’s residence, where he was arrested by FBI agents.
Authorities remind the public that an indictment is only a formal charge; every defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown.
This prosecution falls under Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse through coordinated federal, state, and local resources. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.justice.gov/psc.
