Joseph Francis Mainini was found guilty as charged with Traveling to Meet a Minor and Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communication Device following a two day trial in Lee County. A jury came back with the guilty verdict last night.
In May 2018 the defendant communicated with a person he believed to be a 14-year-old girl through text messages and phone apps called “MeetMe” and “Skout.” Mainini was actually communicating with undercover personnel with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. The defendant went to the address provided by the person he thought was a child with the intention of engaging in sexual activity. He was detained upon his arrival. His arrest was part of “Operation Picket Fence,” an undercover multi-agency operation.
Mainini’s sentencing is set for May 13th. He faces up to 15 years in prison. Assistant State Attorney Michael Colombo Jr. handled the case.
Samantha Syoen
Communications Director
State Attorney’s Office
ssyoen@sao20.org
239-533-1125