Johan Smith Pavon Mejia, 43, of Tampa, has pleaded guilty to attempted enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity, according to an announcement by United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe on July 21. Mejia faces a minimum penalty of 10 years and up to life in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 15.
According to the plea agreement, Mejia communicated online with an undercover detective from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office in April 2025 and arranged to meet a fictitious minor for sexual activity. Mejia traveled to an agreed-upon location where he brought items requested by the undercover detective, including candy, iced tea, and money intended as payment for the arranged acts.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Ilyssa M. Spergel is prosecuting the case.
This prosecution falls under Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse. The program brings together federal, state, and local resources with the goal of locating offenders who exploit children and rescuing victims.
Additional information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.justice.gov/psc.