Sexual predator gets 50 years in State Prison

Santa Rosa County Circuit judge Gary  Bergosh sentenced John Wesley Tonnessen to 50 years in state prison on Tuesday for various sexual offenses.

Tonnessen, of Pensacola, was convicted this past May after a two day jury trial on charges of attempted lewd and Lascivious battery, using a computer on-line service to solicit sexual activity with a child, two counts of transmitting obscene materials by e-mail to a minor, and six counts of possession of child pornography.

Tonnessen was sentenced to 10 consecutive five year terms.

This particular case dates back to February of last year when Tonnessen contacted Sgt. Scott Haines of the Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Department, who was posing as a 13-year old boy in an adult Internet chat room.

Testimony during the trial revealed that Tonnessen immediately directed the chat to sexual activity and arranged a liaison with the child. Tonnessen promised to bring the child revealing underwear, beer, a short, condoms, and other sexual aids.

When Tonnessen arrived at the location to meet the 13-year old he was chatting with, he was met by Sheriff's deputies who placed him under arrest.

A subsequent search of his car revealed the precise items he had promised to bring the child.

A search of his residence in Pensacola revealed a computer which contained pornographic images of young boys under the age of 18.