A 41-year-old Ocala man was arrested Thursday after Marion County Sheriff’s Office detectives said he spent weeks allegedly grooming who he believed was a 14-year-old girl online before traveling to meet her for sex.
According to an arrest affidavit, detectives with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Department arrested Joshua Fredrance Jockell on May 7 at a meeting location on Northwest Blitchton Road in Ocala following an undercover operation.
Investigators said the case began March 22 when a trained Marion County employee, posing as a 14-year-old child online, was contacted through an internet application by an account named “Joshua,” which allegedly contained multiple photos of Jockell.
The conversation later moved to text messages from a phone number investigators said was linked to Jockell through law enforcement databases.
According to the affidavit, detectives said Jockell was repeatedly told the child was 14 years old but continued engaging in what investigators described as grooming behavior over several weeks.
The affidavit alleges Jockell instructed the child to “pack a bag,” discussed sexual activity in graphic terms, told her to hide the messages from her parent or guardian, and made repeated references to getting her pregnant in the future.
Investigators said Jockell ultimately arranged to pick up the child and take her to his home for sexual activity.
On May 7, detectives said Jockell agreed to meet the child at 3049 NW Blitchton Road in Ocala. Authorities said he arrived driving a 2006 red Nissan Sentra matching the description previously provided in messages.
Detectives took Jockell into custody at the meeting location.
According to the affidavit, after being advised of his rights, Jockell initially claimed he intended to wait until the child turned 18 before engaging in sex, but later admitted that was untrue and acknowledged he intended to carry out the sexual activity discussed in the messages.
Jockell was charged with traveling to meet a child after using a computer to lure them, use of a computer to solicit or lure a child, and use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.
The affidavit states bond was set at none pending first appearance.
