James Gregory Ford, age 34, of Port Charlotte, pleaded guilty on May 6 to coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity. Ford faces a minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in federal prison. The sentencing date has not yet been set, according to United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe.
The case centers on communications that took place in October 2025 between Ford and a minor through a social media application. According to the plea agreement, Ford requested nude pictures and videos from the minor and sent her a nude photo of himself.
Law enforcement began investigating after the child's parent discovered the conversations with Ford as well as explicit photographs and videos on the minor's cellphone that had been sent via social media. On October 28, 2025, law enforcement interviewed Ford about his communications with the minor. During this interview, Ford admitted he had initiated contact with the child and exchanged inappropriate messages and images with her.
A forensic examination was conducted following a search warrant for Ford’s cellphone. Investigators found evidence linking his social media account to communications with the victim as well as images and videos depicting sexually explicit conduct by the minor.
The investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Fort Myers Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force along with assistance from the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Yolande G. Viacava is prosecuting this case.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice aimed at combating child sexual exploitation nationwide.
