Using the internet alias “jabberwockysuperfly,” he had contacted an undercover agent who was posing as a woman who was looking for a man to train her “12-year old daughter” for sex, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

TAMPA – A federal judge in Tampa on Tuesday (Nov. 6) sentenced a Texas man to prison after he pleaded guilty to attempting to entice a minor to engage in sex, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida said.

Benjamin Michael Tschirhart, 35, of Dallas, was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison and a lifetime of supervised release for attempting to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity. Tschirhart pleaded guilty Aug. 1.

According to court documents, Tschirhart, using the internet alias “jabberwockysuperfly,” contacted an undercover agent who was posing as a woman who was looking for a man to train her notional 12-year old daughter for sex. Over the course of one month, Tschirhart discussed his sexual desires and preferences for children and made plans to train and groom the “child” for sex.

Toward the end of April, Tschirhart and the undercover agent made plans for Tschirhart to travel to Tampa to have sex with the “child.” On April 30, Tschirhart disembarked an Amtrak train in Tampa. The next day, Tschirhart arrived at the agreed upon location at the agreed upon time, where he was arrested. He had in his possession condoms and lubrication, as well as Skittles and Airheads—the “child’s” favorite candy.

This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse.

U.S. Attorney | Crime | Courts | Tampabay News

#USAttorney #Crime #Courts #TampabayNews