Tampa Sex Offender Windell Holton Gets 20 Years

Windell Holton, a 68-year-old registered sex offender from Tampa, is headed to federal prison for 20 years after attempting to lure what he believed was a 13-year-old girl into sexual intercourse. U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday handed down the sentence following Holton’s August 16, 2016 guilty plea to attempted enticement of a minor, a crime compounded by his status as a prior offender.

The sting unfolded when Holton initiated contact with an individual online, repeatedly messaging and pressuring them to engage in sexual activity. Believing he was grooming a teenage girl, Holton arranged to meet her—unaware he was communicating with an undercover federal agent. His digital trail, including explicit messages, sealed his fate.

Court records show Holton had previously been convicted of attempted sexual battery in Florida, flagging him as a repeat threat under federal sentencing guidelines. As part of the judgment, the court ordered the forfeiture of the cellphone and computer he used to commit the offense—tools now evidence in the broader fight against online predators.

“Thanks to the tireless efforts of our HSI special agents, this sexual predator will now be behind bars where he cannot hurt another child,” said Susan L. McCormick, special agent in charge of HSI Tampa. “HSI will continue to use our unique investigative techniques to ensure criminals like this are held accountable for their actions.”

The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, a division of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Gregory T. Nolan. Operation protocols followed strict undercover procedures to document Holton’s intent and actions without endangering any actual minors.

This prosecution was part of Project Safe Childhood, a Justice Department initiative launched in 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation. Through coordinated federal, state, and local efforts, the program targets predators who use the internet to victimize children. More information is available at www.justice.gov/psc.