Dillon McKinney, a 31-year-old man from Newbern, Tennessee, was sentenced to 180 months in federal prison for attempted enticement of a minor, according to a statement from the U.S. Department of Justice. The sentence, handed down by U.S. District Judge James M. Moody, Jr., includes five years of supervised release. McKinney pleaded guilty on June 3, 2026, to a single-count indictment charging him with attempting to entice a minor.
The case originated from an undercover operation conducted on June 19, 2025, by the Lonoke County Sheriff’s Office and the Covenant Rescue Group. An undercover officer posing as a minor used a social media platform to contact McKinney. He then shifted the conversation to text messages, where he asked the “minor” her age. She responded that she was 14, and McKinney proceeded to discuss arranging a meeting for sexual intercourse in exchange for money. McKinney traveled to the meeting location and was arrested. During a post-arrest interview, he admitted to knowing the individual was 14 but still intending to meet her for sex.
Federal Sting Operation Details
Law enforcement officers reviewed text messages between McKinney and the undercover officer, which showed he agreed to pay a set amount for specific sexual acts. McKinney’s criminal history includes felony convictions for aggravated burglary, arson, burglary, and statutory rape. The case was part of Project Safe Childhood, a federal initiative targeting child sexual exploitation, led by the Department of Justice’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section. The investigation was conducted by the FBI with assistance from local agencies.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Eldridge Prosecutes the Case
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Eldridge of the Eastern District of Arkansas. Judge Moody’s sentence reflects the federal system’s approach to such crimes, which does not include parole. The Justice Department emphasized the importance of monitoring online activity to prevent child exploitation. For more information on Project Safe Childhood, visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
