Roger B. Handberg, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida
A Canadian national, James Hjelmeland, 30, has been indicted in Orlando, Florida. The charges include attempted enticement of a minor for sexual activity and multiple counts related to child sexual abuse material (CSAM). If convicted, Hjelmeland could face severe penalties ranging from a minimum of 10 years to life imprisonment for the attempted offense. Additional charges for distribution and transportation each carry potential sentences of five to 20 years, while possession could result in up to 20 years.
Court documents reveal that on December 29, 2024, an undercover detective from the Orange County Sheriff's Office pretended to be the guardian of a fictional 12-year-old child. Hjelmeland engaged in sexually explicit conversations with the detective and planned a trip from Canada to Orlando for illicit purposes. During these interactions, he also distributed CSAM. Upon his arrest in Orlando, authorities found CSAM on his cellphone involving children under 12.
An indictment serves as a formal charge indicating possible federal criminal law violations; however, defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The investigation involved Homeland Security Investigations, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, United States Customs and Border Patrol, and the Southern Alberta Internet Child Exploitation Team. Assistant United States Attorney Kaley Austin-Aronson will prosecute the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, initiated by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. This initiative coordinates efforts across federal, state, and local levels to apprehend offenders and rescue victims. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.justice.gov/psc.
