TAMPA, Fla. – A federal jury in Tampa convicted a MacDill Air Force Base airman today of charges related to attempting to solicit and exploit a minor for sex.
Jonathan Howard Kuykendall, 39, of Tampa, was found guilty of one count of attempted enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity.
According to court documents and trial testimony, Kuykendall, a member of the U.S. Air Force stationed at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, engaged in online conversations with an undercover officer posing as a 14-year-old girl in June 2022.
Read: Naples Ulta Shoplifting Leads To Chase And Arrests Of 4 From Tampa
Kuykendall began messaging someone named “Ms. Glitter” online. Within the first few messages, Ms. Glitter told Kuykendall that she was 14 years old and lived on the base with her single mother. During the next two weeks, Kuykendall groomed Ms. Glitter, gradually introducing sexual topics to her.
He began by talking about cuddling with her and kissing her. From there, he began sending her graphic descriptions of various sex acts that he wished to perform with her as well as numerous adult pornography images.
All of this continued until June 24, 2022, when Kuykendall, thinking Ms. Glitter’s mom was not home, agreed to come to her house on MacDill Air Force Base. Kuykendall drove to Ms. Glitter’s house, took several male sexual enhancement pills, and approached the home’s backdoor.
Read: Current Path Shows Hurricane Beryl Poses No Threat To Florida, Heads For Western Caribbean
Kuykendall learned Ms. Glitter was actually an undercover federal agent conducting a proactive Internet Crimes Against Children operation. He was arrested on the scene.
Kuykendall faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison. His sentencing is scheduled for September 19, 2024.
Help support the Tampa Free Press by making any small donation by clicking here.
Android Users, Click To Download The Tampa Free Press App And Never Miss A Story. Follow Us On Facebook and Twitter. Sign up for our free newsletter.