Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Lima Resident Agency and the Northern District of Ohio United States Attorney’s Office, announce the arrest of Jeffrey Armstrong, age 51, of Rockford, Ohio.
The complaint alleges that on February 10, 2021, Armstrong engaged in a conversation through an online messenger application with an individual he believed to be interested in sexual relations with minor females. Armstrong expressed that he shared the same interest. Over the next 10 days additional conversations occurred between the FBI online undercover employee and Armstrong to include the exchange of sexually explicit photos depicting underage females.
The complaint alleges that Armstrong knows two underage females that he was hoping to engage in sexual activity with, a 5-year and a 6-year-old. Armstrong informed the undercover employee that he has engaged in previous sexual activity with minor females.
A search warrant was executed at Armstrong’s residence located in Rockford, Ohio, the morning of Monday, February 22, 2021. Armstrong was taken into federal custody, without incident, at approximately 7 a.m. at his place of employment in Lima, Ohio.
Jeffrey Armstrong has been federally charged with coercion and enticement and receipt and distribution of child pornography. Armstrong will have an initial appearance in U.S. Magistrate Judge Parker’s courtroom today, Tuesday, February 23, 2021, at 2:30 p.m.
Law enforcement is encouraging anyone that has a child that has interacted with Jeffrey Armstrong and they feel any of those interactions could have been sexually inappropriate or was an attempt to “groom” the minor for future sexual interactions to please contact the FBI at 1-877-FBI-OHIO. (1-877-324-6446). Armstrong has lived in Rockford, Ohio for several years and has frequented kids sporting activities in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Law enforcement considers this an ongoing investigation and information outside of the federal complaint affidavit cannot be provided.
Any questions regarding this press release can be directed to SA Patrick Lentz at 216-522-1400 or at pblentz@fbi.gov.