North Texas men sentenced to federal prison for sexually exploiting children online

SHERMAN, Texas - Two north Texas men have been sentenced to federal prison for child exploitation violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs.

Justin Mark Jones, 35, of Dallas pleaded guilty to attempted coercion and enticement of a minor and was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Amos Mazzant on August 27, 2024.

According to information presented in court, between October 2022 and May 2023, Jones was communicating online with an individual he believed to be a 13-year-old minor. Jones contacted the purported child on a social media application, asking for a photograph and whether they "could have a little naughty chat." Over the ensuing months, Jones and the purported child communicated on multiple social media platforms, during which Jones repeatedly raised sexually explicit topics of conversation. For example, Jones initiated discussions about the use of sexual toys, the purported child's sexual experience, and the types of sex acts the two could perform on and with one another. On May 17, 2023, Jones traveled to a location in Plano, to meet the child and to engage in illegal sex. Jones arrived with a backpack containing sexual objects and condoms.

This case was investigated by the Plano Police Department and the FBI-Dallas Crimes Against Children Human Trafficking Task Force. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Marisa Miller.

Eric Victor Henry Blood, 44, of Carrollton, was convicted at trial of three counts of transportation of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. He was sentenced to 240 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Amos Mazzant on August 27, 2024.

According to information presented in court, Blood came to the attention of law enforcement when an Internet-based communications, storage, and email platform reported his email address had been used to upload images and videos of child pornography onto the company's platform on multiple occasions. Homeland Security Investigations special agents served a federal search warrant at Blood's Carrollton residence in May 2022, during which Blood admitted to using that account. Agents located child pornography files on multiple electronic devices he owned and possessed, including depictions of prepubescent minors and the violent sexual abuse of minors.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Marisa Miller and Lesley Brooks.

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