A Madison man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for attempted enticement of a minor, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and FBI Special Agent in Charge Carlton L. Peeples.
U.S. District Court Judge Madeline H. Haikala sentenced Anthony Ray Lawrence, 38, from Madison, to 120 months in prison followed by a life term of supervised release. In October, Lawrence was convicted by a jury of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor. This conviction mandates that Lawrence register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.
Evidence presented during the trial revealed that between April and May 2023, Lawrence used a social media application to communicate with someone he believed was a 14-year-old girl but who was actually an undercover law enforcement officer. He admitted to using the application to meet younger girls. On May 1, 2023, Lawrence traveled from Madison to Homewood, Alabama, intending to engage in sexual activity with a minor. At his arrest, he had condoms and sexual lubricant in his possession and had rented a nearby hotel room.
Authorities urge anyone suspecting or aware of possible child sexual exploitation to contact law enforcement immediately. The FBI Birmingham Office can be reached at 205-326-6166 for such reports. Reports can also be filed with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) or online at www.cybertipline.org.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse. The project involves federal, state, and local resources working together to locate offenders who exploit children via the Internet and rescue victims. More information about Project Safe Childhood is available at www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI along with the Homewood Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel S. McBrayer and R. Leann White prosecuted the case.