Accused pleads guilty to two Internet sex crimes

Jonathan Poindexter pleaded guilty to two Internet sex crimes including one involving a 14-year-old girl. The crime occurred in 2003, when Poindexter had sex with a girl he met in a Yahoo! chat room. He likely faces a 40- to 180-month sentence, prosecutors said.

Did you Know? Teachers, parents, law enforcement agencies or any website can get our free syndicated news feed for their Home Page at
Watch Right Internet Crimes Against Children Syndicated News Feed

A 22-year-old Midland man charged in two Internet sex crimes on opposite sides of the state, including one involving a 14-year-old Holland girl, pleaded guilty to a sex assault charge Monday in Ottawa County Circuit Court.

Jonathan Poindexter pleaded guilty to third-degree criminal sexual conduct and likely will be sentenced to at least 40 months in prison Feb. 7. Ottawa County prosecutors successfully fought to toughen the potential penalty against Poindexter, whose revised plea Monday comes after he initially pleaded no contest in October to second-degree criminal sexual conduct, after learning he was charged with another crime in Wayne County.

The Ottawa County crime occurred in 2003, when Poindexter had sex with a Park Township girl he met in a Yahoo! chat room.

In November, a special Wayne County sheriff's Internet crimes task force caught Poindexter again, this time after he met a supposed 13-year-old girl over the Internet and tried to meet her for sex. The victim, however, turned out to be a detective who posed as the young girl during several Internet chats.

Before the Wayne County crime occurred, Poindexter likely would have received a minimum 10-month jail sentence for the Ottawa County crime. Now, he likely faces a 40- to 180-month sentence, prosecutors said.