Jefferson County, Kentucky, Resident Sentenced To Ten Years In Prison For Online Enticement

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – United States Attorney John E. Kuhn, Jr., announced today that a Jefferson County, Kentucky, resident was sentenced in United States District Court, by Senior Judge Thomas B. Russell, to ten years in prison followed by a 20-year term of supervised release. The underlying crime involved attempted online enticement by using a cell phone to communicate with a person, whom the defendant believed to be a 15-year-old girl, for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity.

“This case should alarm every parent about the online threats to our minor children, including teenagers,” said U.S. Attorney John Kuhn. “Fortunately, the defendant’s target in this case was in reality an undercover officer, but just as easily a young teenager could have fallen victim. I urge every parent and adult entrusted with the care of minor children to monitor their online activities and to talk to them about reporting any improper online communications.”

Timothy Wayne Tucker, 40, was arrested on December 6, 2016, while attempting to meet with a person, whom he believed was a 15-year-old girl to engage in sexual activity. Tucker remains in federal custody following his sentencing today.

According to information presented in court, on December 2, 2016, a law enforcement official acting in an undercover capacity (UC), created an ad on the Louisville Craigslist website under the personals tab titled “nothing serious”. The ad did not request any sexual contact from prospective responders. A person later identified as Tucker contacted the UC that same day through the Craigslist e:mail server system. The UC identified himself to Tucker as a 15-year-old female. During the online communications, e:mail and then texting, Tucker brought up the subject of sexual activity with the person he believed to be a 15-year-old girl. Specifically, he asked the UC to engage in sexual activity with himself and an adult female.

The law enforcement official acting in an undercover capacity (UC), agreed to meet Tucker on December 6, 2016, at an address on Wilderness Trail in Eastern Jefferson County, Kentucky. Law enforcement officials watched Tucker drive to the agreed upon location and conducted a traffic stop and arrested Tucker. A search of the vehicle revealed a loaded 9mm handgun as well as alcohol Tucker had promised to bring the UC. A search warrant on the phone confirmed that it was the device Tucker had used to communicate with the UC.

Assistant United States Attorney Jo E. Lawless prosecuted the case. The Kentucky Attorney General’s Department of Criminal Investigations conducted the investigation.

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 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.