Tampa, Florida – A Texas man has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for enticing minors to engage in illegal sexual activity.
Joshua Allen, 34, from Houston, Texas, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Thomas Barber to 15 years in federal prison, followed by 15 years of supervised release, for two counts of enticing or coercing a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity. The court also ordered Allen to forfeit a cellular phone, which was used in the commission of the offense, and to register as a sex offender. Allen pleaded guilty in August 2025.
According to court documents, between October 2022 and April 2024, Allen used a social media application to persuade, induce, and entice minors to send him images and videos of child exploitation material in exchange for monetary payments.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ilyssa M. Spergel.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.
Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.
Defendant: Joshua Allen
Criminal Charges: Two counts of enticing or coercing a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity
City and State: Tampa, Florida
Exact Date: August 2025 (sentencing)
Sentence: 15 years in federal prison, followed by 15 years of supervised release
Related Federal Cases
- Jose Alfredo Carbajal-Espinosa, Illegal Reentry, Florida 2020 · Texas
- Nicholas James Sorgenfrey, Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material, Florida 2023 · Alabama
- Richard Welbourne, Child Sexual Abuse Material, Florida 2024 · Alabama
- Christopher Lee Thompson, Child Sexual Abuse Material Production, Florida 2023 · Alabama
- Darroll C. Gilchrist, Illegal Glock Switch, Florida 2023 · Texas
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Sex Crimes|Cybercrime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
