Project Safe Childhood News Update

Offices of the United States Attorneys

You are subscribed to Project Safe Childhood news updates. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Wakulla County Man Arrested And Charged With Attempting To Entice A Minor To Engage In Sexual Activity 01/12/2026 07:00 AM EST Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that Richard Lynn Simmons, Jr. (36, Sopchoppy) has been arrested and charged by criminal complaint with using his cellphone and the internet to attempt to entice an 11-year-old child to engage in sexual activity. If convicted, Simmons faces a minimum penalty of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison and a potential lifetime term of supervised release. Pursuant to his appearance in federal court on January 9, 2026, Simmons was detained pending further proceedings in this case.   Jacksonville Child Sex Offender Sentenced To 15 Years For Receiving Child Sexual Abuse Materials Over The Internet And Ordered To Pay $45,000 In Restitution To Child Victims 01/12/2026 07:00 AM EST Jacksonville, Florida – Senior United States District Judge Timothy J. Corrigan has sentenced Alexander James Koby (40, Jacksonville) to 15 years in federal prison for receiving child sexual abuse materials (CSAM) over the internet. Koby was also ordered to serve a 15-year term of supervised release and pay $45,000 in restitution to child victims. Koby pleaded guilty on August 15, 2025. Koby has been in federal custody since September 2024 when he was transported from state prison where he was serving a sentence for failing to register as a sex offender. Attorney Sentenced To More Than Six Years In Federal Prison For Distributing Child Sexual Abuse Material 01/12/2026 07:00 AM EST Tampa, Florida – Senior U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday has sentenced Benjamin Crawford (47, Brandon) to six years and six months in federal prison, followed by 25 years of supervised release, for distributing child sexual abuse material. Crawford pleaded guilty in June 2025. The court also ordered Crawford to forfeit a cellphone and laptop, which were used in the commission of the offense. Crawford is also required to register as a sex offender.

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