In federal court today, San Diego resident Eric Jin was handed a sentence of 262 months in prison for the sexual exploitation of a 14-year-old girl, according to an announcement by the U.S. Attorney's Office. The 31-year-old Jin coerced the young victim into producing and sending him sexually explicit images, some of which occurred in December 2022 and again in February 2023 - an egregious act that he admitted to in his guilty plea back in October of 2024.
Jin's manipulation of the victim went disturbingly further, as he ordered her to carve his name, "Eric," into her skin and document the act through a photograph. The U.S. District Judge Jinsook Ohta, in a statement obtained by the U.S. Attorney's Office, described Jin's criminal behavior as "truly hurtful and evil actions on young children …defies adequate description." Despite the parents' attempts to shield their daughter from harm, Jin exploited the teenager, an act U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon emphasized will be met with relentless pursuit of justice by his office.
The official press release detailed that Jin was guilty not just of exploitation, but also of possessing and sending images of other minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The case, presided over by U.S. District Judge Ohta, saw contributions from Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew Sherwood and Katie Grammenidis in the prosecution.
Special Agent in Charge Mark Dargis of the FBI San Diego Field Office emphasized, in a statement obtained by the U.S. Attorney's Office, the serious approach the FBI takes towards child-related criminal investigations. "Jin coerced heinous activity from an innocent 14-year-old girl, unconscionable demands no child should ever have to endure," Dargis stated, underscoring the FBI's unwavering commitment to safeguarding children and holding individuals accountable for such sexual exploitation. As a response, the FBI urges parents to maintain transparent discussions about online safety, report any unlawful interactions to authorities, or call 1-800-CALL FBI.
The consequences facing Jin include the potential for a maximum thirty-year prison sentence, with a mandatory minimum of 15 years and a fine that could reach up to $500,000, under Title 18, U.S.C., Section 2251(a) and (e).
