Former Lieutenant for the Newport News Fire Department Sentenced for Coercion and Enticement of a Child and Receipt of Child Pornography

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A Newport News man was sentenced yesterday to over 33 years in prison for coercion and enticement of a child and receipt of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

According to court documents, in February 2022, Christopher Scott Jones, 43, used the internet to entice and coerce a minor to engage in sexual activity. During the investigation of this offense, the FBI discovered several children who may have been victims of Jones’ conduct. The minors were forensically interviewed and three made disclosures of sexually explicit contact with Jones. One minor disclosed Jones engaging with them over the course of nine months in physical and sexual conduct, to include inappropriate sexual contact and the mutual exchange of sexually explicit images to one another. Forensic examinations of his devices and lawful searches of his accounts confirmed the illicit relationships. In addition, in July 2022, Jones traveled to meet an undercover individual posing as a 12-year-old for sex.

On May 18, Jones pleaded guilty to using a communication facility to knowingly persuade, induce, entice, and coerce a minor to engage in sexual activity. Jones also pleaded guilty to receiving child pornography of his victim.Jones was formerly a lieutenant with the Newport News Fire Department.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Brian Dugan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Jamar K. Walker.

James City County Police Department assisted in this investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Osyf prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:23-cr-32.