A shocking case of child exploitation has led to a severe punishment for a TSA employee in Florida. Gary Linder, Jr., a 27-year-old resident of Fort Lauderdale, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for attempting to produce child pornography and enticing a minor to engage in illicit sexual activity.
Linder’s crimes began in February 2018, when he started communicating with an 11-year-old female child via text message. Over the course of several months, he discussed sexually explicit content with the child and requested nude photos of her engaged in sex acts.
Fortunately, law enforcement was able to intercept the child’s phone and turn it over to the authorities. Linder was subsequently charged with attempted production of child pornography and enticing a minor to engage in sexual activity, both in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2251(a) and 2422(b).
Linder pleaded guilty to both charges on July 26, 2018, and was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom to 15 years’ imprisonment, followed by 15 years of supervised release. This severe punishment serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of such heinous crimes.
U.S. Attorney Ariana Fajardo Orshan commended the investigative efforts of the FBI, including the FBI Miami Child Exploitation Task Force, and the Plantation Police Department for their assistance in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jodi L. Anton prosecuted the case.
The case is a stark reminder of the importance of protecting children from exploitation and the severe consequences that those who commit such crimes will face. The public is encouraged to report any suspicious activity to the authorities immediately.
For more information on this case, visit the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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