The United States Attorney Jan Sharp announced that 28-year-old Shaquille A. Thornhill, formerly of Brooklyn, New York, was sentenced today for attempted coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity.

United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Thornhill to 10 years in prison. After his release from prison, Thornhill will begin a five-year term of supervised release.

On April 15, 2021, Thornhill responded to an online advertisement on skipthegames.com offering sex in exchange for money.  The ad was posted by law enforcement officers. Between April and May of 2021, Thornhill engaged in text messaging conversations and phone calls with undercover law enforcement. 

The undercover agent interacting with Thornhill stated she was 15 years old, and Thornhill recognized and knew the age, but still continued to engage. 

On May 11, 2021, Thornhill agreed with the undercover agent (who he believed to be a 15-year-old female) to meet at a hotel in Omaha, Nebraska, to have sex. Thornhill arrived at the designated hotel room to meet with who he believed to be the 15-year-old female.

When officers answered the door of the hotel room, Thornhill ran away, and after a foot pursuit, was detained. He later admitted to officers that he had agreed to pay $200 for sex with the female he believed to be 15 years old. 

This case was investigated by the Omaha FBI's Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force.