James Lehnert, a 73-year-old man from Florida, was arrested for engaging in unlawful sexual activity with a minor after being caught on Instagram Live with an underage person. The incident occurred on March 31, but details about the minor involved were not released by authorities. Lehnert was seen on the live stream sitting with the minor on his lap, stroking her head, and discussing sexual acts, as well as his past sexual experiences. Several individuals, including a friend of the minor, reported the video to the police, leading to Lehnert’s arrest.
Upon arriving at Lehnert’s home, authorities found him dressed only in a robe and socks. The victim disclosed that they had met Lehnert the previous evening when he offered them a ride. Instead of taking them to their intended destination, Lehnert brought the minor to his home, where he started talking about sex and money. He offered the minor $200 for sex, which was declined, but the victim accepted a $60 offer for oral sex. Although the minor engaged in oral sex with Lehnert, they stopped when they became uncomfortable. The victim also stated that Lehnert did not know their age before the sexual activity occurred.
Following the incident, the minor began filming on Instagram Live to document the situation. Inside Lehnert’s home, authorities discovered a condom wrapper, a bottle of liquor, and a box of condoms. Lehnert was subsequently released from jail on Monday, as indicated by jail records. The case highlights the alarming prevalence of online sexual exploitation of minors and the need for increased awareness and vigilance to prevent such incidents from occurring. It also underscores the importance of reporting suspicious behavior and ensuring that offenders are held accountable for their actions.
