⏱ 2 min read
Michael Ray Pennington, a 60-year-old man from Panama City, Florida, has been indicted for the attempted enticement of a minor. The alleged crime occurred in the Northern District of Florida, where Pennington will face trial. The case is being jointly investigated by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the Bay County Sheriff’s Office. The indictment was announced by United States Attorney John P. Heekin.
If convicted, Pennington faces a minimum of 10 years in prison, with a possible sentence of up to life imprisonment. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Justin M. Keen and is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse.
Pennington appeared for his arraignment in federal court before United States Magistrate Judge Charles Stampelos in Tallahassee, Florida. A jury trial is scheduled for May 26, 2026, before District Court Judge Mark Walker. The government will have to prove Pennington’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
The Project Safe Childhood initiative was launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. The program marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.
Related Federal Cases
- Windell Holton, Attempted Enticement of a Minor, FL 2016 · Virginia
- William Belt, Enticement of a Minor Using Interstate Commerce, Sout… · Florida
- Michael Ray Enzor, Child Pornography Distribution, FL 2023 · Florida
- William Patrick King, Attempted Child Pornography Production, Florida · Florida
- Cody Two Lance, Attempted Transfer of Obscene Material to a Minor, … · Florida
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Sex Crimes
- Defendant: Florida
- Location: US
- Source: DOJ Press Release
