ST. LOUIS – An Arkansas man’s sentencing is scheduled after admitting to exchanging nude pictures with a minor, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in St. Louis.
25-year-old Joseph D. Najera, from Lincoln, AR, sent a friend request to the victim in 2017 on Kik Messenger.
Najera began sending nude artwork and had the victim exchange artwork as well. The victim was 12 years old at the beginning of the exchanges.
A release stated that the requests for drawings became significantly more complex and sexual. Najera asked the victim to perform sexual acts on video chat or create images, according to the plea agreement.
Nude videos from Najera were sent via Facebook Messenger and TextNow. In addition, the 25-year-old monitored the victim’s phone through parental controls to ensure she was not talking to other boys at school. A release also said he had to approve of the victim’s makeup, clothes, and haircuts.
Meeting in person was discussed, but the plan never went through.
Najera pleaded guilty to one felony charge of coercion and enticement of a minor. His sentencing is scheduled for June 27, with both sides recommending 10 years in prison.