Sands found guilty

MISSOULA — A Mission man accused of soliciting sex from a minor was convicted by a jury in federal court of attempted coercion and enticement last Tuesday.

Jason Allen Sands, 33, of St. Ignatius, will face up to 15 years in federal prison when he is sentenced.

Missoula police were alerted after Sands allegedly began contacting a 15-year old girl through MySpace, a popular social networking website, according to the affidavit filed with the Missoula County Justice Court last November. The victim reported that the man got her phone number and began texting her sexually explicit messages.

A family friend of the minor began texting Sands, posing as a different 14-year old girl, in an attempt to learn his identity, Missoula detective Bob Bouchee said. The same friend contacted Missoula police and Det. Chris Shermer directed her to give Sands Shermer’s department-issued cell phone number. Shermer continued texting as “Kayla,” a 14-year old girl, the affidavit said.

Detectives and a man, who police believe to be Sands, continued to exchange sexually explicit text messages and e-mails.

On Nov. 6, 2009, Sands asked to meet “Kayla” and indicated the meeting would be sexual in nature. Detectives requested Sands bring a fast-food kids meal and an orange soda with him to the meet. Sands purportedly requested “Kayla” not to wear underwear and said he would bring condoms. Police arrested Sands at Meadow Hill Middle School. At the time, Sands had a box of condoms in his pocket and a Burger King kids meal with orange drink in his vehicle, according to court records.

According to the affidavit, Sands “confessed to traveling to Missoula for the purpose of having sex with a girl he believed to be 14-years old.”