PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A 22-year-old Maryland man is now facing federal charges after authorities said he traveled to Delaware to have sex with a 12-year-old girl earlier this year.
On May 20, New Castle County police said they caught Majdi Jones partially clothed in his pickup truck, and a 12-year-old girl with him was getting dressed.
Police said the pickup was parked near a dog park in Wilmington, Delaware, shortly after 2 a.m. Police found a used condom in the vehicle.
Authorities said Jones connected with the 12-year-old over Snapchat, traded pictures with her, and arranged their meeting in person.
Jones was charged with several counts of rape and one misdemeanor for trespassing. He was released but was rearrested on Aug. 11 after the FBI joined the investigation.
Police said he knew the girl’s age, lied about his own age, drove to Delaware to pick the girl up near her home early in the morning, and took her to a park for sex. Those allegations have led to federal charges of coercion of a minor and traveling to engage in illicit sex.
If convicted in the federal case, Jones faces a minimum of 10 years in prison.
