A federal jury has convicted Vincent Joseph Robusto, a 41-year-old man from Georgia, of transporting a minor with the intent to engage in sexual activity and possessing a firearm after a felony conviction. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg in Fort Myers, Florida. Robusto could face a maximum sentence of life in federal prison, with his sentencing hearing set for May 5, 2025. He was indicted on December 1, 2021.

The trial presented evidence showing that starting from at least February 2021, Robusto engaged in discussions about sexual activities with a minor through chat on a social media platform. In July 2021, he purchased an airline ticket for the minor and provided the airline with the child's name and date of birth, indicating his awareness of the minor's age. On July 17, 2021, Robusto facilitated the minor's travel from Texas to Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers. Surveillance footage captured him picking up the minor at the airport.

Shortly after, the minor's parent reported them missing to the Dilley Police Department in Texas and provided details of the child's cellphone location using a locator app. The Dilley Police Department then sought assistance from the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office by sharing an address in Port Charlotte indicated by the locator application.

On July 23, 2021, around 3:00 a.m., deputies from the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office arrived at the Port Charlotte residence and discovered Robusto there with the minor. A search warrant executed at this location led law enforcement to find a firearm and ammunition inside Robusto's backpack on a kitchen table. Being a previously convicted felon prohibits Robusto from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.

Further investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement involved DNA analysis on evidence collected during this case. The Crime Laboratory Analyst identified Robusto’s DNA on parts of the firearm and within evidence obtained from a sexual assault kit related to the minor.

The investigation was carried out by several agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Fort Myers Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, and supported by entities like Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, Dilley Police Department, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and Lee County Port Authority. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Yolande G. Viacava and Benjamin S. Winter.

This conviction is part of Project Safe Childhood—a nationwide initiative started in May 2006 by the Department of Justice aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse through collaboration among federal, state, and local resources to apprehend offenders and rescue victims.