Jonathan Mahowald, 38, of Leesburg, pleaded guilty to attempted use of a means of interstate commerce to persuade, induce, entice, or coerce a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity following an investigation by the Port St. Lucie Police Department.
Mahowald was found to have sent explicit photos and videos of himself to what he thought was a 14-year-old girl named Samantha. He was in fact speaking to Port St. Lucie police detective Alisha Hardison.
The Miami Herald reports Mahowald posted a classified ad on the Doublelist.com website stating he was an “average fatherly 37-year-old looking to cuddle, bath, and play with young woman.”
Hardison replied to Mahowald, with the 38-year-old warning “Samantha” that it can be dangerous for young girls to respond to adult personal ads. Mahowald went on to say that he has two daughters around the same as age Samantha, and where she lives is “quite a drive” away from him.
During their conversations, Mahowald also sent Samantha a picture of him holding his penis in his hands, as well as a video of him masturbating.
Mahowald eventually asked to meet who he believed was a 14-year-old girl at a McDonald’s in Port St. Lucie, Florida, more than two and a half hours drive from him. He also requested the girl “dress sexy” for him, preferably in a sundress.
During the drive, Mahowald discussed engaging in sexual acts, telling Hardison he was arriving in his family’s minivan to give them more room.
After Mahowald arrived at the meeting point, Hardison texted him to say “Samantha” was not going to be there. He was then arrested by police soon after he left the area.
Mahowald told officers he was in Port St. Lucie because he wanted to visit the beach. Police then informed the 38-year-old that Port St. Lucie does not have a beach. He was also carrying a loaded handgun in his waistband at the time of his arrest.
Mahowald is due to be sentenced on October 18 following his guilty plea on July 17.
According to the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Mahowald faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years to life in prison. Mahowald could also have a lifetime of supervised release and made to register as a sex offender.
