McAllen Man Convicted of Attempted Enticement of an Individual he Believed was a Minor

McALLEN, Texas – Timinson Erin Jackson, 25, of McAllen, has entered a guilty plea to an indictment charging him with attempted enticement of a minor, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson.

From May 25, 2016, to June 3, 2016, Jackson engaged in online communications with a person he thought was a 12-year-old minor female. That individual was actually an undercover agent with Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). During these conversations, which were mostly carried out via text messaging, Jackson attempted to persuade, induce and entice this “minor” into having sex with him. 

On June 3, 2016, Jackson arranged to meet the individual at a park in McAllen. He was arrested upon his arrival. At that time, Jackson admitted he intended to have sex with an individual whom he believed was a 12-year old minor female. 

U.S. District Judge Randy Crane, who accepted the guilty plea today, has set sentencing for Dec. 13, 2016. At that time, Jackson faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life in federal prison and a possible $250,000 fine. He will remain in custody pending that hearing.

HSI conducted the investigation.

This case, prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alex Benavides, 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 the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."