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Travelling to Meet a Minor Defense
F.S. 847.0135(4) | Online Sting Defense | Second-Degree Felony
If law enforcement arrested you—or you believe you are under investigation—for traveling to meet a minor in Tampa, you need to act immediately. These cases typically begin with undercover sting operations where officers pose as minors online. Even before the State Attorney files charges, the damage to your future may already be underway. At The Brancato Law Firm, P.A., we act quickly to protect your rights and your freedom.
| What Is Traveling to Meet a Minor in Florida? Under Florida Statute 847.0135(4), traveling to meet a minor occurs when someone uses a computer or electronic device to arrange a meeting with a minor—or someone believed to be a minor—for unlawful sexual conduct, and then travels or attempts to travel to that meeting. The crime is complete upon traveling; no actual meeting or sexual contact is required. This is a second-degree felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison. |
I have over 25 years of criminal defense experience and led an elite sex crimes unit before founding this firm. I understand how law enforcement builds these cases—and how to challenge them.
Elements the State Must Prove
To convict you of traveling to meet a minor under F.S. 847.0135(4), the prosecution must prove each element beyond a reasonable doubt:
| Element | What the State Must Prove |
| 1 | You used a computer, online service, or electronic device to communicate |
| 2 | You communicated with a minor, or someone you believed to be a minor |
| 3 | The purpose of the communication was to arrange a meeting for unlawful sexual conduct |
| 4 | You traveled, or attempted to travel, to the arranged meeting location |
The law explicitly states that the involvement of an undercover officer posing as a minor is not a defense. However, each element creates an opportunity to challenge the State’s case.
Penalties for Traveling to Meet a Minor
| Consequence | Details |
| Felony Level | Second-degree felony |
| Prison | Up to 15 years |
| Sex Offender Registration | Mandatory upon conviction |
| Probation | Up to 15 years sex offender probation |
| Professional Consequences | Job loss, license revocation, permanent felony record |
Florida prosecutors treat these cases with zero tolerance. You need a defense attorney who can expose the weaknesses in their evidence.
How These Cases Arise: The Bait-and-Switch Pattern
Most traveling to meet a minor arrests in Tampa Bay follow a predictable pattern:
- Law enforcement posts what appears to be a legitimate adult advertisement on an escort or dating website
- The listing features an adult profile—sometimes using real photos of adults, or old photos of the undercover officer
- You begin a conversation genuinely believing you are speaking with an adult
- Partway through the conversation, the “adult” introduces the idea of a minor—typically “14 or 15”
- The conversation continues under law enforcement control and recording
- Arrest occurs when you travel toward the meeting location
This shift from adult to minor is not accidental—it is a tactic designed to create the appearance of a crime that did not exist when the communication began.
Defense Strategies
| Defense | How It Applies |
| Entrapment | Police induced you to commit a crime you were not predisposed to commit. The bait-and-switch from adult to minor is particularly susceptible to this defense. |
| Lack of Intent | You never intended to engage in sexual conduct with a minor. The State must prove intent beyond a reasonable doubt—fantasy, curiosity, or confusion is not criminal intent. |
| Chat Log Analysis | I analyze every transcript for misleading language, missing context, contradictions, and signs of inducement. Officers control the chat—what they present may not tell the whole story. |
| Digital Forensics | I work with forensic experts to trace device use, examine file integrity, verify access, and challenge the authenticity of the State’s digital evidence. |
| Mental Health Mitigation | When appropriate, psychological experts explain behavior and reduce sentencing exposure. Treatment before trial can demonstrate rehabilitation. |
| Early Intervention Matters If you have not been arrested yet, there is still time. I can contact law enforcement or the State Attorney’s Office directly. In some cases, I have stopped charges from ever being filed. The sooner you reach out, the more control you have over your future. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I be charged if I was talking to an undercover officer, not a real minor?
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, I can challenge your intent and raise entrapment defenses when police tactics cross the line.
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 to determine if law enforcement manufactured the crime.
What if I changed my mind and did not complete the meeting?
If you genuinely renounced the plan before any crime occurred—not out of fear of arrest but because you changed your mind—this can be a complete defense under Florida’s renunciation statute. Additionally, lack of completion may support a lack-of-intent argument.
What counts as “traveling” under the statute?
Any movement toward the meeting location can satisfy this element—driving, walking, or taking transportation. You do not need to arrive. However, the State must prove you were actually traveling to the meeting, not simply traveling in that general direction for other reasons.
Is entrapment a valid defense in these cases?
Yes. Entrapment applies when police induce you to commit a crime you were not predisposed to commit. The bait-and-switch pattern—starting as an adult conversation and shifting to a minor—is particularly susceptible to this defense. See my Tampa Entrapment Defense page for more information.
Facing Traveling to Meet a Minor Charges in Tampa?
If you are facing accusations or believe a sting operation targeted you in Tampa, Hillsborough, Pinellas, or Pasco County, call The Brancato Law Firm immediately. I personally handle every sex crimes case—your defense is never outsourced.
Call (813) 727-7159 for a Confidential Consultation
620 E. Twiggs Street, Suite 205, Tampa, FL 33602
Serving Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco Counties
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