A man from Louisiana was sentenced to 97 months in prison for traveling to New Jersey with the intent to engage in illegal sexual conduct with a minor, as announced by U.S. Attorney Alina Habba.
Spencer W. Caudle, 36, of Prairieville, Louisiana, entered a guilty plea before U.S. District Judge Michael A. Shipp in Trenton federal court. The charge was for travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.
Court documents reveal that in April 2023, Caudle began a relationship on online social media with a 14-year-old. Despite knowing the victim’s age, Caudle maintained sexual conversations and expressed concern about being caught on the show “To Catch a Predator.” On May 26, 2023, he drove to Toms River, New Jersey, to meet the victim and committed sexual acts the next day. Caudle left New Jersey for Louisiana the same night.
Law enforcement became aware of Caudle’s actions and initiated an investigation. In June 2023, an undercover officer assumed the victim's online presence and conversed with Caudle, who confirmed prior acts and expressed intent for more. On June 16, 2023, Caudle was apprehended at Newark Liberty International Airport after flying from Louisiana to New Jersey.
U.S. Attorney Habba credited agents from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations Newark, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, and Toms River Police Department for their roles in the investigation.
The case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a Department of Justice initiative launched in May 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse through federal, state, and local resources. Information about the project is available on Justice.gov/PSC.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard G. Shephard from the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Trenton handled the representation of the government.
