TAMPA, Fla. – A 61-year-old Tampa man has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for enticement of a minor and receipt of child sex abuse material.
Joshua Friedbauer, 61, is also responsible for an Amy, Vicky, and Andy Child Pornography Victim Assistance Act assessment of $3,000 and a Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act assessment of $10,000.
Friedbauer had pleaded guilty on July 5, 2023.
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According to court documents, around June 2021, Friedbauer visited the Philippines and met the impoverished 13-year-old child victim through her mother, with whom Friedbauer shared a romantic relationship.
Officials say Friedbauer coerced, persuaded, and used the child to engage in sexually explicit conduct to produce photos of this conduct.
In return, Friedbauer gave the child money and other gifts. When the child victim resisted and did not fully cooperate with his requests, Friedbauer continued to pressure and guilted her for more images.
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“This predator traveled internationally and exploited the impoverished financial status of a mother and her child to create sexually explicit imagery for his perverse conduct,” said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Tampa Assistant Special Agent in Charge Kristopher Pagitt. “The vile actions of child predators make lifetime victims of their prey and cause irreparable harm. This successful sentencing is a testament to the strength of our global network of law enforcement partnerships, including the Philippine National Police, and our commitment to serve and protect victims of human trafficking and exploitation.”
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Tampa, with substantial assistance from the Philippine National Police.
Assistant United States Attorney Erin Claire Favorit prosecuted the case.
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