Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the conviction of a Naples man on several felony counts for possessing child pornography, soliciting a minor or person believed to be a minor for unlawful sexual conduct using computer services or devices, and transmission of child sexual abuse materials [CSAM] by an electronic device or equipment using Snapchat and Kik Messenger.
Chandler Christian Jones faces up 1,020 years in prison and a minimum sentence of 86 years after being convicted by a jury on all counts. Counts were also enhanced due to Jones possessing 10 or more images with aggravating factors involving young minors.
“Snap continues to fight us in court over their dangerous app while we keep arresting and prosecuting predators who use Snapchat to trade in vile material,” Uthmeier said. "I want to thank the proactive policing by FDLE and Deputy Statewide Prosecutor Julie Chaikin and Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Agnieszka Thomas who built this strong case and secured justice. It’s past time for Snap to fix its dangerous app, protect kids, and pay for these unconscionable harms!”
The conviction follows a Florida Department of Law Enforcement [FDLE] investigation into several NCMEC cyber tips from the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) South Task Force involving uploads of CSAM to Kik Messenger and Snapchat applications from an IP address to Jones' home and associated accounts, according to the attorney general's release.
A search warrant was later executed at Jones' residence where FDLE agents, with help from the Collier County Sheriff's Office [CCSO], retrieved multiple electronic devices, including an iPhone on Jones, with CSAM files.
Jones sentence is set for Aug. 19.
Attorney General Uthmeier's announcement follows arrests of a Florida Keys man and a St. Cloud man for allegedly possessing CSAM in May, as well as an arrest of a Sanford man for allegedly possessing CSAM in February.
