08/18/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/18/2026 08:25
WILMINGTON, Del. - A Maryland man was arrested on August 11, 2026, on charges of coercion and enticement of a minor and for traveling to Delaware to engage in illicit sexual conduct.
As alleged in court documents, Majdi Jones, 22, communicated with a 12-year-old victim over Snapchat, exchanged nude photographs with the victim, and arranged to meet for sex. Through those communications, Jones learned the victim was a minor, lied about his own age, and nevertheless arranged to meet the victim in a Delaware park in the early hours of the morning. Jones drove from Maryland into Delaware, picked up the victim near her house, drove her to the park, and engaged in sexual conduct alleged to constitute rape in the fourth degree under Delaware law. Investigators found a used condom in the back seat of the car in which Jones raped his victim.
Jones is charged with one count of coercion and enticement of a minor, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2422(b), and one count of travel with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2423(b). If convicted, Jones faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Benjamin L. Wallace made the announcement. The FBI Baltimore Field Office's Wilmington Resident Agency and the New Castle County Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bryan C. Williamson and Claudia L. Pare are prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District CourtLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. for the District of Delaware or on PACERLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. by searching for Case No. 26-mj-423.
The charges contained in the criminal complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.