Hayden O’Byrne United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida | The Florida Bar
On May 20, a federal jury in Fort Pierce, Florida found Nicolas James Palmisano, a registered sex offender from Destrehan, Louisiana, guilty of several internet-related sex crimes involving a minor from Martin County. The charges include attempted enticement of a minor and production of visual depictions involving sexual exploitation.
Court records revealed that Palmisano was previously convicted in 2019 for sexual offenses involving a juvenile in St. Charles Parish, Louisiana. After serving four years in prison, he registered as a sex offender with the local sheriff's office.
The case began in May 2024 when the Martin County Sheriff’s Office discovered explicit images on a minor's phone. A forensic examination linked these materials to messages and media sent by Palmisano. Despite knowing the minor was 15 years old, Palmisano sent numerous explicit messages and images between February and May 2024 and solicited similar content from the minor.
In August 2024, authorities arrested Palmisano at his annual Sexual Offender Registration review. A search of his residence led to the discovery of further incriminating material on his phone.
Palmisano is set to be sentenced on August 25 by U.S. District Judge Jose E. Martinez and faces a minimum sentence of 35 years up to life imprisonment.
The announcement came from U.S. Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida, along with FBI Miami acting Special Agent Brett D. Skiles and Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek.
The investigation involved collaboration between FBI Fort Pierce, MCSO, FBI New Orleans, and St. Charles Parish Sheriff's Office. Prosecutors Carmen M. Lineberger and Jessica Kahn Obenauf are handling the case.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative by the Department of Justice since May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation online through coordinated efforts across various jurisdictions.
For more information or to report related crimes, individuals can contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or visit relevant court websites under case number 24-cr-14044.
