Former Magoffin County High School Teacher Sentenced for Online Enticement of a Minor

ASHLAND, Ky. - A Salyersville, Ky man and former Magoffin County High School teacher, Jason Back, 44, was sentenced on Monday to 17 years in prison by Chief U.S. District Judge David Bunning for online enticement.

According to his plea agreement, on March 6, 2023, through March 9, 2023, Back enticed a minor to engage in sexual activity. Specifically, during that time period, Back, a high school teacher, engaged in a text message conversation with a minor and sent a series of sexually explicit messages, including a series of messages that included plans to engage in sexual intercourse. Through the messages sent by Back, in his position as teacher, a position of authority or trust, Back enticed the minor to engage in sexual intercourse.

"Teachers are entrusted with the safety and well-being of their students, and that trust must never be exploited. When an adult in a position of authority uses that trust to target or entice a child for sexual purposes, the consequences are serious," said Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. "We will continue to hold accountable those who prey upon children and abuse positions of trust."

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; and Olivia Olson, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office; jointly announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Blankenship prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.

The U.S. Attorney's Office prosecuted this case as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.govLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link..

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