Jacksonville man gets 10 years in prison for trying to entice child for sexual activity

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A 26-year-old Jacksonville man has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for attempting to entice and meet a 13-year-old child for sexual activity. U.S. District Judge Wendy W. Berger sentenced Adeis Jonathan Francis, who was also ordered to serve 10 years of supervised release and register as a sex offender.

The sentencing follows an undercover operation conducted by the FBI in north Florida between Feb. 17 and March 6, 2026, according to U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe.

According to court documents, an undercover FBI agent posed as a 13-year-old child using an online social media application. The operation aimed to identify adults seeking to make contact with and engage in sexual activity with children, a U.S. Attorney news release states.

During the operation, the agent and an app user with the username “Jay,” later identified as Francis, exchanged several messages through the app and text messaging.

After the agent informed Francis that the child was 13 years old, Francis asked if “she” was ok talking with him. He also requested the child to send him photos.

Following additional text conversations discussing his plans and desire to meet in person for sex, Francis traveled to the vicinity of the child’s purported residence on March 6, 2026, where FBI agents arrested him.

Francis pleaded guilty on May 28, 2026 and has remained in custody since his arrest.

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