A Canadian man was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison for sending scores of messages over social media attempting to coerce an 11-year-old from Ohio to engage in sexual activity.

Daniel Jason Wnek, 28, of Toronto, pleaded guilty last year to one count of coercion and/or enticement of a minor.

Wnek contacted the victim, identified as H.M., via Instagram in 2017. Wnek used the photograph of a younger male and falsely told H.M. he was 14 years old. Wnek eventually switched their communication to Snapchat, according to court documents.

Wnek eventually sent messages to H.M. that were sexual in nature, such as: “Would u lie on top of me when we meet?” and “Yea x we can take our pants off n I’ll bring a blanket,” according to court documents.

Wnek on Nov. 2, 2017 sent H.M. a sexually explicit photo via Snapchat. He also suggested picking her up, engaging in sexual activity and asked H.M. to send him sexually explicit photos of herself, according to court documents.

H.M.’s family contacted police and on Nov. 3, in the presence of law enforcement, another person posing as H.M. engaged in a Snapchat conversation with Wnek. He continued to solicit H.M. for sex, sent H.M. sexually explicit images and asked H.M. to send him sexually explicit images of her, according to court documents.

On Nov. 13, Wnek advised who he thought was H.M. that he planned to travel to Disney World in Florida for his birthday. Wnek was arrested after traveling from Toronto to Orlando, according to court documents.

“This case demonstrates how predators will target our children over social media by posing as people different from who they truly are,” U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman said. “Parents and trusted adults need to make it their business to know who their kids are communicating with.”

“Daniel Jason Wnek traveled thousands of miles in order to meet up with a child for sex after luring the child online,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Eric B. Smith. “We must protect our children from online predators. The FBI will continue to pursue these vicious criminals and is pleased that Mr. Wnek will not be able to threaten children’s innocence or lives any longer.

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