Tampa, Florida - Chief U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday has sentenced Windell Holton (68, Tampa) to 20 years in federal prison for attempted enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity, and commission of the offense as a sex-offender. The Court ordered him to forfeit a cellphone and computer that he used commit the offense. Holton pleaded guilty on Aug. 16, 2016.
According to court documents, Holton contacted an individual online who he believed to be a 13-year-old girl and asked her to engage in sexual intercourse with him. In reality, he was communicating with an undercover federal agent. Holton had previously been convicted of attempted sexual battery in Florida.
“Thanks to the tireless efforts of our HSI special agents, this sexual predator will now be behind bars where he cannot hurt another child," said Susan L. McCormick, special agent in charge of HSI Tampa. “HSI will continue to use our unique investigative techniques to ensure criminals like this are held accountable for their actions."
This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Gregory T. Nolan.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
