United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Jared Menendez (25, Fruitland Park) with attempted enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity and attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor.
If convicted of the attempted enticement offence, Menendez faces a minimum sentence of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison. The attempted transfer of obscene material offence carries a maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment. Menendez is currently detained pending the case’s resolution.Â
According to the indictment, between November 14 and December 20, 2024, Menendez attempted to persuade, induce, entice, and coerce an individual whom he believed had not yet attained 18 years of age to engage in sexual activity.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.
It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Janette Swartzberg.
