A federal grand jury has indicted Shengjie Cheng, a 32-year-old Chinese national residing in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on charges of attempted enticement of a minor. The indictment alleges that on March 31, 2025, Cheng used social media under the alias “Marvellous Pirate” to try to persuade an individual he believed to be a 15-year-old girl in Baton Rouge to engage in an illegal sexual relationship.
Cheng entered a not guilty plea at his arraignment. If convicted, he could face a minimum of ten years and up to life in prison, along with a fine of up to $250,000. He may also be subject to supervised release for life and will have to register as a sex offender. Upon completion of any sentence, Cheng is subject to removal or deportation from the United States.
The investigation involves U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Investigations division, the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office. Prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Edward H. Warner and Special Assistant United States Attorney Allen Ross.
“An indictment is an accusation by a grand jury. The defendant is presumed innocent until and unless adjudicated guilty at trial or through a guilty plea,” stated Acting United States Attorney Ellison C. Travis.
This case falls under Project Safe Childhood, an initiative started by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation online by coordinating federal, state, and local efforts (http://www.justice.gov/psc).
Additionally, this prosecution is part of Operation Take Back America—an initiative using Department of Justice resources against illegal immigration and transnational crime through programs such as OCDETFs and Project Safe Neighborhood.
