California Man Convicted of Attempted Online Enticement of a Minor to Engage in Sex

FRANKFORT, Ky. – A California man, Michael John Davidson, 31, was convicted today by a federal jury sitting in Frankfort of attempted online enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity. The jury reached its verdict after approximately one hour of deliberations following a day and a half trial.           

According to testimony at trial, on February 20, 2019, Davidson contacted an individual who self-identified as a 15-year-old female living in Franklin County, Kentucky, using the KiK messenger application over the Internet, on his cellular telephone.  The person Davidson contacted was, in reality, an adult male investigator with the Kentucky Office of the Attorney General’s Cyber Crimes Branch (“the UC”).  From February 20-22, 2019, a conversation between Davidson and the UC ensued over KiK. The Defendant turned the conversation sexual and transmitted several images of himself.  

The conversation between the Davidson and the UC led to a planned meeting for sex on February 22, 2019. On February 22, 2019, Davidson drove from Jamestown, Kentucky, to Frankfort, Kentucky, in order to meet the UC and engage in criminal sexual activity. When the Davidson arrived at the agreed-upon meeting place in Franklin County, he was arrested by law enforcement.             

Davidson was indicted in September 2019.

Robert M. Duncan, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Daniel Cameron, Attorney General for the Commonwealth of Kentucky; and Ralph Gerds, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Secret Service Louisville Field Division, jointly announced the conviction.

The investigation was conducted by the United States Secret Service and Kentucky Attorney General’s Cyber Crime Branch.  The United States was represented in the case by Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin M. Roth and Special Assistant United States Attorney James T. Chapman. 

Davidson will appear for sentencing on September 17, 2020.  He faces a sentence of not less than 10 years in prison.  However, the Court must consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the applicable federal statutes before imposing a sentence.

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