OCALA, FL – In a chilling revelation from the grim underbelly of St. Petersburg, David Araujo, 57, has pleaded guilty to producing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and attempting to entice a minor into sexual activity, according to United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe.
The disgraced defendant now faces a minimum sentence of 15 years, potentially up to 30 years for the CSAM production offense, and a minimum of 10 years, with a cap of life imprisonment, for the attempted enticement charge. A sentencing date remains unspecified as of this report.
Araujo’s downfall began in July 2024 when an undercover Ocala Police Department officer posing as a 14-year-old prostitute engaged him online. The conversation escalated to sexually explicit content, with Araujo revealing details about a previous relationship with another minor. Law enforcement arrested the suspect when he traveled from St. Petersburg to Marion County to meet his virtual companion for sex.
During a search of Araujo’s cellphone, authorities uncovered evidence that he produced CSAM on September 25, 2023, involving the same minor victim. The case has been a collaborative effort between the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Ocala Police Department, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Homeland Security Investigations.
Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Janette Swartzberg is prosecuting this harrowing case. It is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. The project unites federal, state, and local efforts to locate, apprehend, and prosecute predators like Araujo, as well as identify and rescue victims.
For more information on Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc. This case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing battle against pedophiles who prey on our most vulnerable citizens.
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Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes|Cybercrime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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