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Press Release

PENSACOLA MAN ARRESTED FOR ENTICING A CHILD TO ENGAGE IN SEXUAL ACTIVITY

March 4, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

R. Alexander Acosta, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Anthony V. Mangione, Special Agent in Charge, Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Ken Mascara, Sheriff, St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office, announced today that defendant Frank Jaffrion of Pensacola, Florida was arrested for persuading, inducing, enticing or coercing a person under 18 to engage in sexual activity, and attempting to do so, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2422(b).

Jaffrion, a Petty Officer First Class in the United States Navy, entered an America Online chat room and began to correspond with an undercover police officer posing as the father of an eleven year old girl. During Internet communications, Jaffrion repeatedly expressed his desire to engage in sexual activity with the child. Jaffrion made plans to meet the father and his fictitious 11 year old daughter in Port St. Lucie to engage in sexual activity with the child.

If convicted, Jafrion faces a minimum of ten years up to life in prison, followed by a minimum of five years of supervised release up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.

Mr. Acosta commended the investigative efforts of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rinku Talwar.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

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