Office of the State Attorney

PRESS RELEASE

November 9, 2023      

 

State of Florida v. Jonathan Manchester

                                                                                               

DOB: 09/01/2000

Case Number: CF2201154

 

Citrus County Man Convicted of Traveling to Meet Minor

ST. AUGUSTINE – After one-day trial Wednesday evening, a St. Johns County jury found defendant Jonathan Manchester guilty as charged of Traveling to Meet a Minor, Soliciting a Minor for Sex using Computer Services, Unlawful Use of a Two-way Communication Device and Attempted Lewd and Lascivious Battery Sex Act.

In July 2022, the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office conducted an undercover operation, which targeted suspects using the internet to sexually exploit children. During the operation, Manchester started a sexual conversation on the internet with an undercover detective who portrayed themselves as a 14-year-old girl.

The defendant then traveled more than two hours to meet the minor at a location in St. Johns County where he was arrested.

The case was investigated by the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant State Attorneys Kaitlyn Payne and Holly Southworth successfully tried the case for the state. The Honorable Lee Smith presided over the case and will pronounce sentence at a later date. Manchester faces up to 15 years in prison for the crimes.

 

For more information contact: 

Haley Harrison | Multimedia Specialist/PIO | Office of State Attorney R.J. Larizza, Florida's Seventh Judicial Circuit | SAOPIO@SAO7.org