William Daniel Leonard, 55, of Maryland, was found guilty of using the internet and his cellphone to attempt to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity.
An Orlando federal jury reached the verdict in the case, which was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Florida.
According to evidence and testimony introduced during the two-day trial, Leonard reached out to an undercover agent who was posing as the father of a 13-year-old daughter online on November 12, 2021.
Leonard expressed interest in meeting the notional child for sex and spent the next three weeks planning his trip from Maryland to Florida.
During the same time that he was making plans to come to Florida, Leonard was talking to two other minors online, a 14-year-old girl and a 16-year-old girl.
Leonard traveled to North Carolina on November 19, 2021, to see the 14-year-old girl after deciphering her address from a digital photograph that she had sent to Leonard.
On December 7, 2021, Leonard arrived in Florida with two boxes of condoms to meet the notional 13-year-old girl, where he was met by law enforcement officers and arrested.
Leonard faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison, as well as a potential life term of supervised release.
His sentencing hearing is scheduled for January 4, 2024.
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.
Related Federal Cases
- Emilio Moran, Enticing Minor to Engage in Unlawful Sexual Activity, North Carolina 2020 · New Mexico
- William Daniel Leonard, Attempting to Meet Minor for Sex, Florida 2023 · North Carolina
- William Leonard, Child Enticement, Florida 2021 · North Carolina
- Brevard County Man Convicted of Attempting to Entice Minor · North Carolina
- Kenneth Wayne Mulkey, Attempting to Coerce and Entice a Minor, Texas 2024 · Oklahoma
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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