A St. Petersburg man has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for attempting to entice and coerce minors to engage in illegal sexual activity, and for transferring obscene matter to individuals that he believed were under the age of 16.
Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge Charlene Edwards Honeywell today sentenced Sandi S. McGann (30, St. Petersburg) to 10 years in federal prison for attempting to entice and coerce minors to engage in illegal sexual activity, and for transferring obscene matter to individuals that he believed were under the age of 16.
According to court documents, between December 10, 2014, and February 12, 2015, McGann communicated online and attempted to persuade a 14-year-old “child” to engage in illegal sexual activity with him. The “child” actually was an undercover agent from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations posing as a ninth grade girl living in Clearwater.
Further investigation revealed that McGann had also engaged in sexually explicit online chats with another Homeland Security agent posing as a child online. He also communicated online with a 14-year “child” living in California named “Amanda.” “Amanda” was actually the founder of the “Demand Project,” a nonprofit organization in Oklahoma designed to help law enforcement identify individuals who pose a risk to children.
“Predators who target innocent children for their own criminal gratification are warned that law enforcement will not rest until they are brought to justice,” said Susan L. McCormick, special agent in charge of HSI Tampa.
This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Amanda C. Kaiser.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.
Sandi S. McGann, 30, St. Petersburg, FL, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for attempting to entice and coerce minors to engage in illegal sexual activity, and for transferring obscene matter to individuals that he believed were under the age of 16.
Exact Criminal Charges: Attempting to entice and coerce minors to engage in illegal sexual activity, and for transferring obscene matter to individuals that he believed were under the age of 16.
City and State: Tampa, FL
Exact Date: Not specified
Sentence or outcome: 10 years in federal prison
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- William Richter, Child Pornography, California 2022 · Florida
- Anthony Kandalepas, Child Exploitation, Virginia 2020 · Florida
- Steven Gasiorek, Child Pornography, New York 2019 · Florida
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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