Fort Myers, FL – Javier Chavez, a 35-year-old resident of Sarasota, has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell. Chavez was convicted of attempted enticement of a minor for sexual activity and attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor. He pleaded guilty to the charges in December 2024.
The investigation revealed that on May 15 and 16, 2024, Chavez engaged in explicit communication with an undercover law enforcement officer posing as a 14-year-old girl and her mother. Despite being informed of the girl’s age, Chavez initiated sexually explicit conversations and sent obscene videos of himself. His arrest occurred when he arrived at a predetermined location in Lee County with the intent of engaging in sexual activity with the supposed minor. Chavez confessed to his intentions when confronted by deputies.
The case was a collaborative effort between the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Morgan.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006. The program aims to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse by coordinating federal, state, and local resources to apprehend and prosecute offenders, as well as to identify and rescue victims. More information about this initiative can be found at www.justice.gov/psc.
