Eric Jacob Layton was arrested in 2023 at his University City home after allegedly posing as multiple personas to target minors for sexually explicit photographs and in-person meetings. The FBI reported that victims involved in youth sports were primarily targeted, with Layton using identities including a sports massage therapist named Travis Parkin and a sports physician named Dr. Alexis Iniesta. Layton initially contacted a Florida 15-year-old via Instagram, claiming to be a sports writer and later posing as a physician to ask sexually explicit questions. Layton pleaded guilty in federal court and faces separate state charges involving six alleged victims aged 13 to 16. Sentencing in the federal case is scheduled for December, with prosecutors seeking a 13-year term under a count that carries a 10-year mandatory minimum.
Eric Jacob Layton was arrested in 2023 at his University City home on allegations of posing as a doctor, sports reporter, massage therapist and youth sports modeling agent in order to obtain sexually explicit photographs from minors and arrange in-person meetings with the juveniles, officials said. The FBI said victims who participated in youth sports were primarily targeted and that Layton presented himself as a sports massage therapist named Travis Parkin who specialized in youth athletics, as well as a sports physician named Dr. Alexis Iniesta.
According to a factual proffer statement filed in connection with his plea agreement, Layton originally reached out to the Florida boy via Instagram. Layton claimed to be a writer for a sports publication who wanted to interview the boy, who was described in court documents as an amateur athlete. Layton later posed as a physician Dr. Iniesta and asked the boy a series of questions over the phone that he claimed were necessary for the boy to participate in his sport.
Layton pleaded guilty on Friday in federal court in the Southern District of Florida in connection with attempts to solicit the Florida teen, but is also facing state charges in San Diego related to six alleged victims between the ages of 13 and 16. He pleaded not guilty to the San Diego charges in 2023 which include felony counts of lewd acts on a child and contacting a minor with the intent to commit a sexual offense but it's uncertain when that case might proceed further.
Layton is slated to be sentenced in December in the Florida case. The enticement count carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years, and Layton's plea agreement states that prosecutors will seek a 13-year sentence.
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