Executive Summary
- Noe Zamudio Hernandez pleaded guilty to attempted enticement of a minor and illegal re-entry.
- The charges stem from a 2024 investigation targeting individuals seeking to exploit children.
- Hernandez faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in federal prison and up to life.
- Sentencing is scheduled for March 26, followed by deportation proceedings.
PANAMA CITY, Fla. – A Florida man has entered a guilty plea in federal court regarding charges of attempting to sexually exploit a minor and illegally re-entering the country, according to court records filed this week.
Noe Zamudio Hernandez, 43, admitted to one count of attempted enticement of a minor and one count of illegal re-entry by a deported alien. Federal prosecutors stated that Hernandez was apprehended during a 2024 investigation specifically targeting individuals seeking to exploit children.
According to investigators, Hernandez engaged in communications under the belief that he was arranging a sexual encounter with a minor. The investigation confirmed that he had previously been deported from the United States, leading to the additional immigration charge.
Under federal law, Hernandez faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, with the potential for a life sentence. Authorities noted that following the completion of his prison term, he will face deportation proceedings.
Judicial Proceedings and Sentencing
This case illustrates the stringent application of federal sentencing guidelines in cases involving the attempted exploitation of minors. The mandatory minimum sentence reflects the zero-tolerance approach adopted by federal prosecutors in operations targeting online predators. Furthermore, the dual nature of the charges ensures that the defendant will serve significant custodial time within the U.S. judicial system prior to removal from the country. While Hernandez has admitted guilt, the final determination regarding the length of his sentence rests with the court at the hearing scheduled for March 26.
