Florida man charged after undercover FBI sting for attempting to entice a 13‑year‑old. Faces 10 years to life if convicted.
A Jacksonville man has been federally indicted for allegedly trying to entice what he thought was a 13‑year‑old child into sexual activity during an FBI undercover operation, authorities said.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida, 25‑year‑old Adeis Jonathan Francis was charged this week by a federal grand jury with attempted enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity. If convicted, he faces a statutory minimum of 10 years in prison and up to life behind bars, as well as the possibility of lifetime supervised release.
Investigators say the case stemmed from an undercover FBI operation conducted in Jacksonville and Pensacola between mid‑February and early March 2026, in which an agent posed online as a 13‑year‑old child to identify adults seeking sexual contact with minors. During that period, Francis using the alias “Jay” is alleged to have exchanged multiple messages with the undercover account via a social media application and text messaging.
Despite being told the “child” was only 13, prosecutors allege Francis continued to engage and asked for photos, according to court filings.
The indictment marks the latest enforcement action under Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative aimed at combating the online sexual exploitation of minors by marshaling federal, state, and local resources in investigations and prosecutions.
Officials did not immediately say whether Francis has retained an attorney. Federal indictments are formal charges and do not imply guilt; defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Reports are sourced from official documents, law-enforcement updates, and credible investigations.
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