Jelani Amari Petersen, a 28-year-old resident of Tallahassee, Florida, was convicted by a federal jury for attempting to entice a minor into unlawful sexual activity. The announcement came from John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin stated: “I am proud of the great work by my office and our state and federal law enforcement partners to take this sex offender off our streets. This case exemplifies the mission set forth by President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pamela Bondi: protect America’s children against predators like this defendant. My office will continue to aggressively prosecute such offenses to keep our most vulnerable members of the community safe from the predations of these sick individuals.”
In September 2024, during Operation Lifeguard, an undercover operation targeting online child exploitation, Petersen engaged with an undercover officer posing as a minor female. He expressed intent to engage in sexual acts in exchange for money. Law enforcement arrested him at a pre-arranged location and searched his car and phone, confirming his communications with undercover officers.
Petersen faces a minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison with a maximum possible life sentence and will be required to register as a sex offender.
The investigation involved the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant United States Attorneys Justin M. Keen and Meredith Steer are prosecuting the case.
Sentencing is scheduled for October 3, 2025, before Chief United States District Judge Allen C. Winsor at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice aimed at combating child sexual exploitation online.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one among 94 offices serving under the direction of the Attorney General.
