A San Diego-based U.S. Navy military police officer accused of sexually assaulting a teenage girl he met on a social networking app for minors was found guilty.
According to the U.S. Attorney's office, Isaiah Smallwood-Jackson posed as a teenager on the "SpotaFriend" app, created for minors between 13 and 19, and began a conversation with a 14-year-old girl.
Communicating through the app, Smallwood-Jackson told the girl he was 21 and that he didn't she was a minor.
A Federal complaint filed last year alleges that Smallwood-Jackson exchanged cell phone numbers with the teen and convinced her to send him sexually explicit photos and share her address.
The teen repeatedly told Smallwood-Jackson she wasn't sure about meeting up with him but he told her to "take a leap of faith."
After she agreed, he went to her house and engaged in sexual activity with her, the U.S. Attorney's office said.
In text messages following the encounter, Smallwood-Jackson apologized to the victim for hurting her.
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The victim reportedly disclosed the event to her sister who reported it to law enforcement.
Smallwood-Jackson was found guilty by a jury of production of child pornography and enticement of a minor. The mandatory minimum sentence for the convictions are 15 and 10 years, respectively, in prison.
“Internet predators beware: the Department of Justice is committed to striking back against repugnant crimes against innocent children," U.S. Attorney Adam Braverman said. “No child should ever have to endure sexual abuse. The United States will utilize every tool available to it to hold these predators accountable.”
Smallwood-Jackson is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 28.
