David A. Girard, 70, of Robertsdale, Alabama, was found guilty by a federal jury in Pensacola of attempted enticement of a minor, traveling in interstate commerce for the purpose of illicit sexual conduct, and committing a felony involving a minor while being a registered sex offender, according to an announcement by United States Attorney John P. Heekin for the Northern District of Florida on July 17.
Heekin said, “This repeat sex offender has clearly shown that the only way to ensure the safety of our kids from his sexual predations is to keep him locked behind bars. The threats our kids face online are growing, but our excellent law enforcement partners are up to the task to stay one step ahead of predators, like this defendant, who seek to sexually exploit and victimize children. For our part, my office will continue to aggressively prosecute these crimes to ensure these sick individuals are removed from our communities for as long as possible.”
Evidence presented at trial showed that in October 2025, during an undercover operation led by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and other agencies targeting individuals soliciting minors online for sex, Girard began communicating with someone he believed was a fourteen-year-old child. He described sexual acts he intended to perform and arranged a meeting place in Pensacola. Upon arrival at the agreed location on October 17, 2025, he was arrested by law enforcement officers. Electronic evidence obtained through a search warrant confirmed his communications and travel arrangements.
Girard faces mandatory minimum sentences including 10 years’ imprisonment—and up to life—on Count 1; up to 30 years’ imprisonment on Count 2; and an additional mandatory consecutive term of ten years on Count 3.
The investigation involved multiple agencies including the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, Florida Highway Patrol and United States Marshals Service. Assistant United States Attorneys David L. Goldberg and Thomas S.P. Geeker prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood—a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation online through collaboration among federal prosecutors’ offices such as those operated under U.S. Attorneys across northern Florida—including Tallahassee and Pensacola—as well as state and local law enforcement partners, according to the official website.