SANTA ROSA COUNTY

SHERIFF'S OFFICE

Sheriff Wendell Hall

Pensacola Man Arrested For Solicitation of Child Over the Internet

On February 02, 2007, Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office Investigators, operating in conjunction with the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) arrested John Wesley Tonnessen, 48 years old, for solicitation of a child over the internet. Undercover investigators have been "chatting" online with Tonnessen for the past four days. Tonnessen, who has previously served time in prison for a 1985 conviction for child molestation in Santa Rosa County , believed that he had been talking with a 13-year old male. During the investigation, Tonnessen "chatted" with investigators, believing them to be a 13 year old male juvenile, and stated that he would drive to Santa Rosa County to meet with the boy for sexual activity. Tonnessen also engaged in sexually explicit conversations with investigators, telling them explicit sexual details of what he planned on doing with the male juvenile he believed he was chatting with. Tonnessen also sent investigators two pornographic photographs of himself, believing that he was sending them to the juvenile. On 2/02/07, Tonnessen drove to a prearranged secluded area off of Commerce Drive in Milton, Fl, in order to meet the male juvenile for sexual activity. Deputies and investigators from Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office, Escambia County Sheriff's Office, and Pensacola Police Department (all members of the North Florida ICAC Task Force) survielled the area waiting for Tonnessen to arrive. Deputies located Tonnessen's vehicle (a red 1999 Kia 4-dr) pulling in to the Avalon-Mulat Tom Thumb, at which time he went inside to purchase beer. Tonnessen told investigators during their "chat" that he was picking up beer for the juvenile. Tonnessen then arrived at the scheduled location off of Commerce Drive at the designated time in attempt to locate the supposed juvenile. Tonnessen was then confronted and taken into custody by investigators without incident. During a search of Tonnessen's vehicle, numerous items were located which Tonnessen stated that he would bring with him, to include beer, condoms, lubricants, a camera, and an outfit that he had brought for the juvenile to wear. Tonnessen was transported to the Santa Rosa County Jail and booked on the following charges. He is being held with no bond. The Santa Rosa Sheriff's Office is a member of the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, one of 45 federally funded units nationwide that investigate Internet crimes against children.

A photograph of Tonnessen is attached to this email.

Suspect Information:     

John Wesley Tonnessen, W/M, 48 years old

7900 Block of Sabra Drive , Pensacola , FL

Charges:

Solicitation of a Child over the Internet, Felony

Transmission of Pornographic Material to a Minor, 2 counts, Felony

Attempted Lewd or Lascivious Battery , Felony

Attempted Lewd or Lascivious Molestation, Felony

*** PLEASE ENSURE THAT ICAC IS PROFILED IN ALL NEWS COVERAGE CONCERNING THIS EVENT, ALONG WITH THE PARTICIPATING AGENCIES. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE.

Press Release By:

Sgt. Scott Haines

Media Relations Unit

(850) 981-2136 or shaines@srso.net