Tampa Man Pleads Guilty to Sex Crimes in Pennsylvania

A former Tampa, Florida resident has plead guilty to charges involving the sexual exploitation of a minor in Pennsylvania, according to a recent investigation.

Thomas Edward Grossman, 49, plead guilty to two counts in federal court, including transportation with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity and sexual exploitation of a minor.

According to the investigation, Grossman transported a minor female from Pennsylvania to West Virginia with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. He also persuaded a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of that conduct and enticing a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity.

Grossman’s plea agreement calls for a twenty-year term of imprisonment, followed by 10 years of supervised release.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. The project marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.

Assistant United States Attorney Christian A. Trabold is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. Judge Susan Paradise Baxter scheduled sentencing for December 17, 2024, at 1:30 p.m.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, the West Virginia State Police, and the Summersville, West Virginia Police Department.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than ten years and not more than life, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Grossman’s current status is pending sentencing on December 17, 2024.

Defendant: Thomas Edward Grossman

Criminal Charges: Transportation with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, Sexual exploitation of a minor

City and State: Erie, Pennsylvania

Exact Date: December 17, 2024

Sentence or Outcome: 20-year term of imprisonment, followed by 10 years of supervised release

Dollar Amount: $250,000

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