Mauricio Morales-Gonzalez, a 24-year-old Mexican national, has been sentenced to ten years in federal prison for attempting to entice a minor into sexual activity. The sentencing followed his guilty plea in federal court and was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin stated: “Thanks to the outstanding investigative work of our state and federal law enforcement partners, this criminal alien was stopped as he attempted to sexually exploit and victimize a minor child. My office will continue to aggressively prosecute these disgusting sex offenders to ensure the most vulnerable members of our community are kept safe.”
According to court documents, between April 10 and April 12, 2025, detectives from the Tallahassee Police Department and Leon County Sheriff’s Office worked with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in an undercover operation aimed at identifying individuals exploiting children online in Leon County. During this operation, Morales-Gonzalez was identified as soliciting minors for sex through an online website. Believing he would meet a minor for sexual activity, he arrived at a predetermined location where law enforcement arrested him.
Homeland Security Investigations Assistant Special Agent in Charge Nicholas G. Ingegno commented: “This sentence sends a clear message that anyone who attempts to entice a minor into sexual activity will face serious consequences. This criminal alien sought to exploit a child, and thanks to the swift, coordinated work of law enforcement, that danger was stopped. Protecting minors from predatory conduct remains one of our highest priorities, and this outcome reflects our unwavering commitment to safeguarding our children.”
After serving his prison term, Morales-Gonzalez will be subject to five years of supervised release; any violation could result in additional incarceration. He is also required to register as a sex offender.
The case resulted from collaboration among the Tallahassee Police Department, Leon County Sheriff’s Office, and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Justin M. Keen prosecuted the case.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood—a Department of Justice initiative started in May 2006—to combat child sexual exploitation by coordinating resources across federal, state, and local agencies (more information can be found at www.projectsafechildhood.gov). The case is also connected with Operation Take Back America—an effort led by the Department of Justice focusing on combating illegal immigration and transnational crime.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices representing the nation under direction from the Attorney General; more details about its work are available at http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
