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Tampa Bay Online Sex Sting Defense
When Police Tactics Cross the Line | Entrapment Defense
Protecting children is a priority we all share. At The Brancato Law Firm, P.A., I firmly support lawful efforts to stop child exploitation. However, Tampa Bay sex stings do not always catch predators seeking children. Detectives using deceptive tactics lure many people into illegal conversations. These methods raise serious questions about fairness and the potential for entrapment.
| What Is a Tampa Bay Sex Sting Operation? A sex sting operation is an undercover law enforcement tactic where officers pose as minors or as parents offering access to minors on dating apps, social media, or escort websites. The officer initiates contact as an adult, engages the target in conversation, then introduces the idea of a minor—typically claiming to be “14 or 15” or offering access to a younger person. This bait-and-switch creates the basis for charges including solicitation, traveling to meet a minor, and human trafficking—even though no actual child was ever involved. |
If police arrested you after a sting operation in Tampa, Hillsborough, Pinellas, or Pasco County, you need to understand your rights. I have over 25 years of experience defending sex crimes cases and was a litigator in the elite Major Crimes Division at the Hillsborough County Public Defender’s Office, handling sex crimes, homicides, and child abuse cases.
| Case Result: Solicitation to Commit Human Trafficking Client arrested in online sting operation. Convicted at trial but received probation—not prison—after pre-trial treatment strategy. Client preserved contact with his child and retained internet access. |
How Tampa Bay Sex Stings Operate
Local law enforcement agencies run undercover operations online. These stings follow a predictable pattern:
| Step | What Happens |
| 1 | Undercover officer creates a fake adult profile on a dating app, social media, or escort website |
| 2 | A legal conversation between apparent adults begins |
| 3 | The conversation turns sexual or flirtatious |
| 4 | Officer suddenly claims to be underage (“I’m actually 14”) or offers access to a minor |
| 5 | Conversation continues under law enforcement control and recording |
| 6 | Arrest occurs when target travels toward meeting location or continues soliciting |
This bait-and-switch tactic turns a legal conversation into the basis for a criminal investigation. It can entrap people who never intended to speak to a minor.
Charges That Arise from Sex Sting Operations
| Charge | Florida Statute | Penalty |
| Solicitation of a Child Using a Computer | F.S. 847.0135(3) | 2nd degree; up to 15 years |
| Traveling to Meet a Minor | F.S. 847.0135(4) | 2nd degree; up to 15 years |
| Human Trafficking for Commercial Sexual Activity | F.S. 787.06(3)(f) | 1st degree; up to life |
| Attempted Lewd or Lascivious Battery | F.S. 800.04 / 777.04 | 3rd degree; up to 5 years |
| Use of Two-Way Communications Device | F.S. 934.215 | 3rd degree; up to 5 years |
Conviction on any of these charges carries mandatory sex offender registration—even though no actual child was ever involved.
Understanding Entrapment in Florida
Entrapment is a valid legal defense in Florida under F.S. 777.201. It occurs when law enforcement induces someone to commit a crime they were not predisposed to commit. Florida follows a subjective standard—the focus is on your state of mind, not on whether the police conduct was objectively outrageous.
I have seen cases where detectives messaged people repeatedly, urged them to meet even after the person tried to stop, and pushed sexual topics the target had not introduced. This kind of pressure can turn a weak case into a wrongful arrest—and forms the basis for an entrapment defense.
Defense Strategies in Sex Sting Cases
| Defense | How It Applies |
| Entrapment | Law enforcement induced you to commit conduct you were not predisposed to commit. The bait-and-switch from adult to minor is central to this defense. |
| Lack of Intent | You never intended to engage in sexual conduct with a minor. Fantasy, curiosity, or confusion does not equal criminal intent. |
| Renunciation | If you backed out before the crime occurred—not from fear of arrest but because you genuinely changed your mind—this is a complete defense. |
| No Substantial Step | If you never traveled or took concrete action toward completing the offense, there may be no substantial step sufficient to support the charges. |
| Chat Log Analysis | I analyze every transcript for signs of inducement, missing context, contradictions, and evidence that the officer pushed the conversation toward illegal topics. |
Social Media Vigilantes and Private Stings
Some Tampa Bay arrests now involve private citizens rather than law enforcement. These “predator hunters” set up fake profiles, record confrontations, and post videos online for views and revenue. Unlike police, private actors lack proper training, often fail to preserve evidence correctly, and may mislead, provoke, or edit footage to create drama.
If a civilian posing as a minor confronted you, the case against you may be deeply flawed. See my page on Vigilante Predator Catcher Defense in Florida.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I be charged even if no real child was involved?
Yes. Florida law explicitly allows prosecution when the “minor” is actually an undercover officer. The key question is whether you believed you were communicating with a minor. However, this opens the door to entrapment defenses.
What if the conversation started with someone I thought was an adult?
This is the bait-and-switch pattern common in Tampa Bay stings. The fact that you initially believed you were speaking with an adult is central to an entrapment defense. I analyze when and how the “minor” was introduced.
Is entrapment a valid defense in sex sting cases?
Yes. Under Florida Statute 777.201, entrapment applies when law enforcement induces someone to commit a crime they were not predisposed to commit. The bait-and-switch tactic is particularly susceptible to this defense.
What if I changed my mind and never went to the meeting?
If you genuinely renounced the plan before any crime occurred—not from fear of arrest—this can be a complete defense under Florida’s renunciation statute. Lack of travel also supports a lack-of-intent argument.
Do I still have to register as a sex offender if convicted?
Yes. Conviction on any of these charges carries mandatory sex offender registration—even though no actual child was ever involved. That is why aggressive defense is critical.
Arrested in a Tampa Bay Sex Sting?
An arrest does not mean a conviction. If police changed their story mid-conversation or pushed you into a situation you would not have entered, you may have a strong defense. At The Brancato Law Firm, I protect the rights of the accused—especially when law enforcement steps outside the law to make an arrest.
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