Mauricio Morales-Gonzalez, a 24-year-old Mexican national, has pleaded guilty in federal court to attempting to entice or persuade a minor to engage in sexual activity. The announcement was made by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin stated: “Thanks to the relentless efforts of our incredible law enforcement partners, another child predator is behind bars and the community is safer. It is one of our most important duties to protect the most vulnerable members of our community from the predations of these sick individuals, and my office will continue to aggressively prosecute those who seek to sexually exploit our children.”
According to court documents, between April 10 and April 12, 2025, law enforcement agencies including the Tallahassee Police Department, Leon County Sheriff’s Office, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations conducted a joint undercover operation in Leon County targeting individuals using the internet for child exploitation. During this operation, Morales-Gonzalez was identified as soliciting minors through an online website. He was arrested after arriving at a meeting location where he believed he would meet a minor.
Morales-Gonzalez faces a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and could receive up to life imprisonment. Upon release, he will be subject to supervision for five years up to life.
The investigation was carried out jointly by local and federal agencies with prosecution led by Assistant United States Attorney Justin M. Keen. Sentencing is set for October 27, 2025, at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee before Chief United States District Judge Allen C. Winsor.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 that coordinates resources across federal, state, and local levels to combat child sexual exploitation online and identify victims (www.projectsafechildhood.gov).
Additionally, it falls under Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline), an initiative aimed at addressing illegal immigration and transnational criminal organizations through combined efforts from several Department of Justice programs.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida serves as one of 94 offices representing the nation under direction from the Attorney General. Further information about public court documents can be found on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website or at http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
