Florida Man Sentenced in Minnesota for Exploitation of Minor
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA – Jason Thomas Turner, a 46-year-old man from West Delray Beach, Florida, has been sentenced in Dakota County, Minnesota, after pleading guilty to charges of electronic solicitation and exploitation of a minor. Turner’s sentencing on March 27, 2025, concludes a case involving years of inappropriate communications and exploitation of a teenage girl.
Plea Agreement
Turner entered a guilty plea on December 12, 2024, to two felony counts:
Count 1: Electronic Solicitation of a Child (To Engage in Sexual Conduct)
Count 3: Use of Minor(s) in Sexual Performance or Pornographic Work
As part of the plea agreement, two additional charges—Counts 2 and 4, both involving the use of minors in sexual performances—were dismissed.
Sentencing Details
Turner was sentenced to:
15 months in prison at the Minnesota Correctional Facility in St. Cloud. However, this sentence was stayed for five years, meaning it will only be executed if Turner violates probation.
180 days in Dakota County Jail, with credit for 82 days already served.
Five years of supervised probation, monitored by Dakota County Community Corrections.
Under Minnesota law, the stayed prison sentence includes a minimum term of imprisonment equal to two-thirds of the total sentence and a maximum supervised release term equal to one-third if the sentence is eventually executed.
Background of the Case
Turner’s charges stemmed from several incidents between December 2022 and February 2024. The victim in this case was his ex-girlfriend’s step-daughter. According to the criminal complaint, after Turner and the ex broke up, he moved to Florida. He then used social media platforms to solicit nude photos and videos from the victim, who was underage at the time, in exchange for money. Investigators uncovered explicit communications and financial transactions linked to Turner’s exploitation of the victim. According to the criminal complaint, it was estimated that Turner was sending the victim around $125 a week for the illicit photos and videos.
The criminal complaint states that Turner also traveled to Minnesota in December 2022 and met the victim in person, where he treated the victim and her friend by buying them food, letting them get their nails done, and taking them to the Mall of America. The sending of illicit photos and videos continued until February 2024, when the ex-girlfriend saw the illicit messages between her step-daughter and Turner, and then reported it to the police.
Upon further investigation by law enforcement, it was found that there were over 15 illicit photos and videos sent to Turner before she was 16. Turner was later arrested at the airport on June 12, 2024, when he flew to Minnesota. During his arrest, he declined to give a statement to law enforcement, according to the criminal complaint.
Provided by Dakota County Jail.
