DAYTON, OHIO
A federal grand jury indicted a 28-year-old sex offender for coercing minor females to make child pornography, according to officials.
The indictment, which was handed down last week, alleges that Robert S. Jones knowingly coerced and enticed five minor females to engage in sexual activity for the purpose of producing or attempting to produce child pornography.
It also states that Jones, of Anna, Ohio, received and possessed child pornography depicting female minors under the age of 12. Jones’ alleged criminal activity occurred while he was required by law to register as a sex offender.
Jones is charged with six counts of production and attempted production of child pornography involving five different alleged victims in multiple states, two counts of coercion and enticement of minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity, and one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography
In addition, he also faces an enhanced penalty for allegedly committing certain felony offenses involving a minor while being a registered sex offender.
If convicted, Jones is facing a long prison sentence:
- Jones faces at least 10 years up to life in prison for each coercion and enticement charge.
- Production of child pornography carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and a potential maximum sentence of 30 years in prison.
- Receipt and possession of child pornography are each crimes punishable by up to 20 years in prison, with the receipt charge carrying a 5 year minimum sentence.
- Committing a felony offense involving a minor while being required to register as a sex offender carries a mandatory 10 year sentence, to run consecutive to any other sentence.
Jones was arrested on Nov. 4. The magistrate court ordered him detained pending trial.
The defendant is presumed innocent unless found guilty.