Ocala, Florida – Ismael Osbaldo Pedro Tomas, a 23-year-old from Guatemala, has been indicted for attempting to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe. If convicted, Pedro Tomas faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and could receive up to life in federal prison.
The indictment alleges that between July 22 and August 11, 2025, Pedro Tomas tried to persuade, induce, entice, and coerce someone he believed was under the age of 18 to engage in prostitution and sexual activity.
Officials noted that an indictment is only a formal charge and does not establish guilt. "An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty," according to the statement.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Janette Swartzberg will prosecute the case.
This prosecution falls under Project Safe Childhood, an initiative started by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse. The project coordinates efforts among federal, state, and local agencies to find and prosecute those who exploit children as well as identify victims. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.justice.gov/psc.
