Jackson Township Man Pleads Guilty to Kidnapping and Possession of Child Pornography

Acting U.S. Attorney Michelle M. Baeppler announced that Jonathan L. Stinnett, 36, of Jackson Township, Ohio, pleaded guilty today to kidnapping a five-year-old child and possession of child pornography.

“Thanks to quick work of law enforcement and a vigilant community, an innocent child was reunited with their family and spared from an unknown fate,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Michelle M. Baeppler.  “Nothing unites all of us in this region more than working to protect and ensure the safety of our children.”

According to court documents, on November 11, 2021, Stinnett kidnapped a five-year-old child and transported the child across state lines to Illinois for the purposes of sexual gratification and exclusive companionship. 

On November 12, the McLean County Sheriff’s Department in Bloomington, Illinois, received a call regarding a suspicious parked vehicle.  Deputies responded to the area and located a van suspected to have been involved in a reported kidnapping.  Deputies approached the vehicle and located Stinnett and the victim inside.

Stinnett was arrested and later confirmed his involvement in the kidnapping to law enforcement officials.  Stinnett was also found to have been in possession of a flash drive containing visual depictions of child pornography.

Stinnett is scheduled to be sentenced on July 6, 2022. 

This case was investigated by the FBI, Jackson Township Police Department and the McLean County Sheriff’s Department in Bloomington, Illinois.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Peter E. Daly and Aaron P. Howell.