Evergreen Reporter

U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard has sentenced Schyular Quinton Willis, 24, of Sebastian, Florida, to 17 years and 6 months in federal prison for attempted online enticement of a minor child to engage in sexual activity. Willis entered a guilty plea on January 31, 2024. He has been in custody since his arrest on October 10, 2023, at Camp Pendleton, California.

According to court documents, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) was contacted by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) on October 4, 2023, regarding a report of child exploitation. On October 1, JSO responded to a residence following a call for service. Minor Parent 1 (MP1), father of Minor Victim 1 (MV1), had discovered nude images of the child on her cellphone along with a text message thread between MV1 and Willis. The thread contained multiple nude images of both individuals.

During a later conversation with MP1, JSO learned that Willis had access to MV1 and had recently spent time with her while in Florida. It was also revealed that Willis was an active-duty Marine. Based on this information from MP1, JSO concluded that Willis was likely military personnel. NCIS verified that Willis was an active-duty lance corporal stationed at Camp Pendleton.

NCIS reviewed MV1’s cellphone and located a text message thread between Willis and MV1 which began on July 31, 2023, and continued through September 26, 2023. The messages discussed sexual intercourse and the production of child sexual abuse materials on several occasions.

Willis was arrested at Camp Pendleton on October 10 and consented to an interview and search of his devices. He admitted to engaging in sexual conversations with MV1 and acknowledged it as a mistake. A review of his cellphone uncovered additional text messages dating back as early as July 25, referencing possible sexual activity between him and MV1.

The case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ashley Washington.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate offenders who exploit children sexually while identifying and rescuing victims.

For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

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