Attorney General James Uthmeier Announces Conviction of Yet Another Snapchat Predator

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.-Attorney General James Uthmeier announced that a Collier County jury has convicted Chandler Christian Jones, 30, of Naples on dozens of felony counts, including multiple counts of possession of child sexual abuse materials (CSAM), soliciting a child or person believed to be a child for unlawful sexual conduct using computer services or devices, and transmission of child pornography by electronic device or equipment.

"Snap continues to fight us in court over their dangerous app while we keep arresting and prosecuting predators who use Snapchat to trade in vile material," said Attorney General James Uthmeier. "I want to thank the proactive policing by FDLE and Deputy Statewide Prosecutor Julie Chaikin and Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Agnieszka Thomas who built this strong case and secured justice. It's past time for Snap to fix its dangerous app, protect kids, and pay for these unconscionable harms!"

In 2022, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement was assigned multiple NCMEC cybertips from the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) South Task Force. The tips involved uploads of child sexual abuse material to Kik Messenger and Snapchat applications from IP addresses traced to Jones' residence and accounts linked to him.

On July 19, 2022, FDLE agents, with assistance from the Collier County Sheriff's Office, executed a search warrant at Jones' residence in Naples. Agents recovered multiple electronic devices, including an iPhone located on Jones' person. Forensic examination confirmed numerous CSAM files.

The jury returned guilty verdicts on all counts as charged. Many possession counts were enhanced second-degree felonies due to Jones possessing 10 or more images with aggravating factors involving very young children.

Jones now faces up to 1,020 years in the Florida Department of Corrections. His lowest permissible sentence is 86 years. Sentencing is scheduled for August 19, 2026.

The case was prosecuted in the Twentieth Judicial Circuit of Florida.

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