United States v. Jones

THOMPSON, Circuit Judge.

PREFACE

In today’s appeal — which seems like something straight out of Dateline NBC’s old “To Catch a Predator” series — Donald J. Jones III attacks his convictions and life sentences for federal crimes related to his efforts to have sex with a child. He must settle for a partial victory, however, as we affirm his convictions but vacate his life sentences. And because our vacating his life terms undoes a big part of the judge’s sentencing schematic, a resentencing on the other counts is appropriate too.

HOW THE CASE GOT HERE

We start with the facts, viewed in the light…