Judge Scott Arthur Evans sentenced Jeremy Clugston, age 40, to serve 4 ½ to 10 years in a state penitentiary for solicitation to commit aggravated indecent assault, dissemination of sexually explicit materials to minors, solicitation to commit possession of child pornography, and criminal use of a communication facility.  In July, Clugston pleaded guilty just before jury selection was to begin in his trial. Clugston, posing as a teenager, sent sexually explicit messages to a 14-year-old female.  The teen’s mother intercepted the messages believing they were really from an adult.  The mother contacted police who began an undercover investigation.

The defendant continued to send messages believing they were going to the minor female when he was actually communicating with police.  Clugston told the "child" that he wanted to meet with her to engage in sexual activity.  He further admitted that he was not a teenager but an adult male.  In addition to sending graphic pictures of himself to the undercover officer, he also attempted to solicit pornographic pictures from the "minor".  Through the course of the investigation, police ultimately determined that the suspect was someone the victim knew through her family and who served as a baseball coach.  Calling the case, a "real life to catch a predator episode", Chief Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Gettle commended the victim for coming forward and the outstanding work of Detective Sergeant Todd Johnson of the Criminal Investigation Division of the District Attorney’s Office.  The father of the victim explained that the defendant "has permanently damaged her mindset of men as coaches, role models, and peers.  He preyed on her." 

In addition to the period of incarceration, Judge Evans ordered the defendant to serve 14 years of consecutive probation and to register under Megan's Law for the rest of his life.  The defendant may not have any contact with any children under the age of 18 and is subject to special conditions for sexual offenders.  After sentencing, Chief Deputy District Attorney Gettle stated: "The defendant is just one example of the predators online.  Children should be able to use social media without being exploited by adults.  Parents and children should report incidents of this nature to the police so we can make every effort to catch these offenders."