⏱ 2 min read
Michael Ray Pennington, a 60-year-old man from Panama City, Florida, was convicted of attempting to entice a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity. The crime occurred in November 2025, when Pennington responded to a fictitious online advertisement posted by an undercover law enforcement officer. Despite being informed that he was communicating with a 15-year-old child, Pennington expressed interest in engaging in sexual activity with the child in exchange for money.
The undercover operation was conducted by the Bay County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations, which led to Pennington’s arrest at an arranged meeting location. A search of his phone confirmed that he was the person communicating with the undercover agent.
Pennington faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years in federal prison and a maximum of life imprisonment. He will also be required to register as a sex offender. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Emma Schwan and Meredith L. Steer.
Sentencing is scheduled for October 13, 2026, at 2:00 pm at the United States Court. The conviction is a result of the excellent investigative work of state and federal law enforcement partners and the outstanding courtroom advocacy of the federal prosecutors.
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Sex Crimes
- Defendant: Florida
- Location: US
- Source: DOJ Press Release
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