Attorney General Bill McCollum News Release
July 25, 2008
Media Contact: Jenn Meale
Phone: (850) 245-0150
en EspañolPrint Icon Print Version

Orlando Man Gets 18 Months for Traveling to Meet "Child" for Sex

~ Man was arrested last July during undercover internet operation in Polk County ~


TALLAHASSEE, FL - Attorney General Bill McCollum today announced that an Orange County man has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for traveling to meet someone he thought was a child, intending to have sex with her. David E. Bacorn was arrested during a July 2007 undercover internet operation in Polk County and pleaded guilty in June to using a computer to seduce a child and transmitting materials harmful to a child. His 18-month prison sentence will be followed by two years of strict community control supervision, then 6.5 years of supervised probation. He must also register with the state as a sex offender. Bacorn was prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution.

The undercover operation, led by Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd's Office, netted the arrests of 25 individuals who, over the course of only four days, traveled to Polk County believing they were meeting a child for sex. Undercover detectives used chat rooms and instant messaging to direct suspects to the location. Bacorn, 24, was arrested after he traveled from his home in Orlando intending to meet a 14-year old girl and have sex with her. He was also charged for sending lewd video of himself over the internet to the person he believed was a young teenager.

The two-week-long operation, dubbed “Operation Guardian,” included detectives, officers and special agents from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Plant City Police Department, all working in conjunction with members of the State Attorney’s Office and the Office of Statewide Prosecution. The sentence was handed down late yesterday by Judge Mark Carpanini of the 10th Judicial Circuit.

Stay Connected Follow Us News feed

Read Attorney General Bondi's Weekly Brief

Provide your email address below to receive the Attorney General's Weekly Briefing featuring the latest news and updates on top issues.