4 months ago
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LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A registered sex offender from Michigan who traveled to Arkansas to sexually accost a child was sentenced to 40 years in federal prison on Thursday.
A jury found 33-year-old Jeremy Robert Ward guilty in a January trial of one count of interstate travel with the purpose of enticing a minor to engage in sexual activity with a minor, six counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of travel with the purpose to engage in illicit sexual activity with a minor.
According to federal prosecutors, Ward met the 12-year-old victim online in September 2022 when he added her to his Snapchat account. He exchanged messages with her for about three weeks before traveling to Arkansas from his home in Marine City, Michigan, to meet.
On Oct. 15, 2022, he met the child face-to-face in her neighborhood when he drove his car up to her while she was riding her bike. During her encounter with Ward, the victim was able to record a part of the exchange.
Prosecutors said Ward can be heard stating, “I was hoping to take you home,” and that the victim must “think I’m gonna’ kidnap you or so...
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