Press Release
MARTIN COUNTY RESIDENT SENTENCED FOR INTERNET ENTICEMENT OF A MINOR TO ENGAGE IN SEXUAL ACTIVITY
November 6, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
R. Alexander Acosta, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Anthony V. Mangione, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Office of Investigations, announced that defendant Glenn E. Lewis, of Martin County, was sentenced on November 3, 2008 by U.S. District Court Judge Donald M. Graham to 120 months in prison on charges of using a computer to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity. Upon his release from prison, Lewis will be placed on supervised release for 15 years. Lewis had pled guilty to these charges in August 2008.
According to the charging document, Lewis used his computer to contact and communicate with an undercover agent, who was purporting to be a 15 year old female online. Specifically, Lewis, while using the internet service provider Yahoo!, entered a chat room named "Florida:5" and initiated a private communication with the undercover agent. After being repeatedly told the undercover agent's persona was a 15 year old female, Lewis continued to communicate with the child and attempted to entice the 15 year old to meet for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity.
U.S. Attorney Acosta stated, "Children using the internet must be protected from sexual predators who seek to harm them. While it is parents and caregivers who shoulder the initial responsibility of monitoring their children's contacts and providing guidance and advice on "safe" internet use, the U.S. Attorney's Office will continue to prosecute those individuals who manage to break through that safety net and entice children on-line to engage in sexual activities."
"This case reveals the disturbing truth that child predators will go to great lengths to sexually exploit minors," said Anthony V. Mangione, Special Agent in Charge of ICE's Office of Investigations in Miami. "ICE is committed to identifying and arresting these individuals who seek to victimize children and help ensure that justice is served."
Mr. Acosta commended the investigative efforts of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in this matter. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Millien.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
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