Joseph Francis Mainini was sentenced to 10 years in prison today after being found guilty as charged at a trial in April with Traveling to Meet a Minor and Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communication Device. His prison term will be followed by 5 years of sex offender probation. He also received a lifetime designation as a Sexual Offender.
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 arrested upon his arrival. His arrest was part of “Operation Picket Fence,” an undercover multi-agency operation.
Assistant State Attorney Michael Colombo Jr. handled the case.
Samantha Syoen
Communications Director
State Attorney’s Office
ssyoen@sao20.org
239-533-1125