Brock A. Westrom, 36, of Gulf Breeze, Florida, was sentenced by United States District Judge Mark E. Walker to 48 months in federal prison for attempted enticement of a minor, according to an announcement on July 22 by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said, “Sexual predators, like this defendant, are relentless in their pursuit of children online, who they intend to sexually exploit and victimize, but our state and federal law enforcement partners are unified in their commitment to identify and stop those sick individuals before they can harm our kids. My office will continue to back up the outstanding investigative work of our law enforcement partners with aggressive prosecutions to keep these sexual deviants behind bars and away from our communities.”
Evidence presented at trial showed that in July 2024 the Bay County Sheriff’s Office conducted an undercover operation targeting individuals soliciting minors online for sex. On July 19, Westrom began communicating with someone he believed was a fifteen-year-old child and described sexual acts he wanted performed as well as payment arrangements. He then traveled to meet the purported child at a predetermined location where he was arrested by law enforcement officers. Electronic evidence confirmed his communications and travel intentions.
After serving his sentence, Westrom will be required to register as a sexual offender and will be subject to five years of supervised release.
Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford said, “If you think you can use the internet to target a child and walk away without consequences, you’re making the biggest mistake of your life… Let this sentence serve as a warning: if you come to Bay County looking to exploit a child, you won’t find a victim, you’ll find deputies waiting to put you in handcuffs.” Homeland Security Investigations Tampa acting Special Agent in Charge Nicholas Ingegno said, “HSI is unwavering in our commitment to protecting children and holding predators fully accountable for their actions…” FBI Jacksonville Special Agent in Charge Jason Carley said, “The FBI and our partners will continue to aggressively investigate these crimes and stop children from being exploited…”
This conviction resulted from an investigation by the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Meredith L. Steer and Eric W. Welch.
This case was brought under Project Safe Childhood—a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006—to combat child sexual exploitation using coordinated federal resources.
The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida advances community safety across northern Florida; enforces federal laws; defends national security; protects civil rights; secures public funds; covers 23 counties including Tallahassee; operates from facilities in Tallahassee, Pensacola and Gainesville courthouses; collaborates with law enforcement agencies through initiatives such as Project Safe Childhood—all according to information provided on its official website.