Evergreen Reporter

U.S. District Judge Thomas Barber has sentenced Imran Siddiqi, a 40-year-old resident of North Port, to 15 years in federal prison. Siddiqi was found guilty of attempting to transfer obscene material to a minor and committing a felony offense involving a minor as a registered sex offender. He entered his guilty plea on July 22, 2024.

Court documents reveal that between January 31 and March 6, 2024, Siddiqi engaged in online conversations with an undercover law enforcement officer who posed as a 13-year-old girl. During these interactions, Siddiqi expressed his intent to engage in sexual activities with the child and sent explicit photographs of himself along with adult pornography images. Siddiqi had previously been convicted in state court in 2016 for traveling to meet a parent to solicit or entice a child into committing a sex act.

“This recidivist predator once again attempted to violate the innocence and vulnerability of a child,” said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Tampa Assistant Special Agent in Charge Micah McCombs. “HSI, alongside our law enforcement partners at all levels, is steadfast in our commitment to work tirelessly investigating anyone who attempts to exploit children.”

The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Janette Swartzberg.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse. The project brings together resources from federal, state, and local levels to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who exploit children while also working to identify and rescue victims. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.justice.gov/psc.