Press Release
CHURCH MUSIC MINISTER ARRESTED FOR ENTICING A CHILD TO ENGAGE IN SEXUAL ACTIVITY
April 14, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
R. Alexander Acosta, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Ken Mascara, Sheriff, St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office, announced today that defendant Jack Aldrich, of Lake Mary, Florida, was arrested on charges of 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). Aldrich will make his initial appearance in federal court on Wednesday, April 16, 2008 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Frank J. Lynch, Jr. in Ft. Pierce.
Aldrich, former Director of Musical Ministries at First United Methodist Church in Winter Park, entered an internet chat room and began to correspond with an undercover police officer posing as a fifteen year old female. During internet communications, Aldrich repeatedly expressed his desire to engage in sexual activity with the child.
If convicted, Aldrich 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 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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