Raymond Lewis Shiver, 36, of Crawfordville, Florida, was found guilty by a federal jury of attempting to entice a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity, according to an announcement on July 21 by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said, “Thanks to the excellent investigative work by our state and federal law enforcement partners, my office was able to deliver a successful prosecution to ensure this defendant will be held accountable for his attempts to sexually exploit a child. My office remains committed to aggressively prosecuting these horrific crimes to do everything in our power to keep our kids safe, both in our communities and online.”
Trial testimony showed that from April 10-12, 2025, law enforcement conducted an undercover online chat operation targeting individuals seeking children for sexual exploitation. Officers posted fictitious ads on websites commonly used for prostitution; Shiver responded and communicated with an undercover officer posing as a 15-year-old child. The defendant expressed interest in engaging in sexual activity with the purported minor in exchange for money and traveled with the intent of meeting the child before being arrested. A search confirmed he had been communicating via text messaging and phone calls with the undercover officer.
Shiver faces a minimum mandatory sentence of ten years in federal prison and up to life imprisonment. He will also be required to register as a sex offender. Sentencing is scheduled for September 28 at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee before United States District Judge Robert L. Hinkle.
The case resulted from collaboration between the Tallahassee Police Department, Leon County Sheriff’s Office, and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant United States Attorneys Joseph A. Ravelo and Meredith L. Steer are prosecuting the case.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood—a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006—to combat child sexual exploitation using coordinated efforts among federal, state, and local agencies.
The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida advances community safety by upholding rule of law across northern Florida; enforces federal laws; defends national security; protects civil rights; secures public funds; operates from facilities in Tallahassee, Pensacola and Gainesville; covers 23 counties including Tallahassee and collaborates through initiatives such as Project Safe Childhood—all according to information available on the official website.