⏱ 2 min read
A former Pinellas teacher, Lee Hughes, 46, of Pinellas Park, has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for his role in child sexual abuse offenses. Hughes communicated with an undercover officer online for months, expressing his desire to sexually abuse a 9-year-old girl and sending explicit photos and videos of himself. The conversations took place from an unspecified start date until May 1, 2025, when Hughes arrived at a predetermined location to engage in sexual activity with the child, but was apprehended by the FBI.
Hughes pleaded guilty to attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor, attempted coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity, and receipt and possession of child sex abuse material on January 30, 2026. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Abigail K. King and Courtney Derry.
The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice.
The project aims to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announced the sentencing, highlighting the importance of protecting children from predators like Hughes.
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Sex Crimes
- Defendant: Florida
- Location: US
- Source: DOJ Press Release
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Sex CrimesSex CrimesSex CrimesSex Crimes