Jacksonville Man Sentenced to 19 Months for Online Sexual Corruption of a Minor

Medford, Oregon- An Oregon man was sentenced to 19 months in prison on Monday for attempting to engage in sexual activity with a 16-year-old girl he met through Snapchat, the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office announced.

Anthony Nicholas Wheeler, 39, pleaded guilty to one count each of online sexual corruption of a child in the first degree and luring a minor. Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Markiewicz also ordered Wheeler to serve three years of post-prison supervision, register as a sex offender, forfeit the phone used in the crime, and undergo HIV and DNA testing. Due to Oregon sentencing laws and Wheeler’s lack of prior criminal history, a longer prison term was not possible, prosecutors said.

The case began in March 2025 when the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office received a report of an adult male contacting a juvenile via Snapchat. Authorities identified the man as Wheeler, who told the girl he was seeking a relationship. When the juvenile disclosed she was 16, Wheeler responded that age “did not matter” and continued the conversation, which turned sexual. The girl then ceased communication.

Detective Tobias, with the consent of the juvenile and her mother, assumed control of the girl’s Snapchat account and continued messaging Wheeler, posing as the minor. Wheeler described sexual acts he wanted to perform and arranged to meet the juvenile at Lava Lanes, a local bowling alley, on March 26, 2025. Undercover detectives observed Wheeler arrive at the location, where he was arrested.

During an interview with authorities, Wheeler admitted the girl had told him “two or three times” she was 16. When asked if he intended to meet her for sexual purposes, he said it might happen “one day if an actually legitimate relationship could be possible.”

Senior Deputy District Attorney Lucy Durst prosecuted the case. The investigation was led by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.