Tampa Man Charged with Enticement of a Minor

Daphne Hearn, Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the San Diego FBI Field Office, announces federal charges of enticement of a minor have been filed against Tony Mc Leod of Tampa, Florida. Mc Leod has been charged with violating Title 18, U.S.C., Section 2422 (b)-enticement of a minor.

According to the federal complaint filed in this matter with the United States District Court, Southern District of California, case number 13mj2301, Mc Leod allegedly engaged in conduct with an individual under the age of 18 years for the purpose of engaging in unlawful sexual activity.

According to the federal complaint, on June 10, 2013, the Escondido Police Department responded to a report of a 14-year-old missing child (victim). A review of the victim’s phone revealed the victim to be in contact with an individual named “Tony” at an 813 area code. This review revealed texts between Tony and the victim. Additionally, Tony sent the victim photographs and a video of himself.

Due to the exigency of the situation involving a missing child, the service provider provided the subscriber to the 813 telephone number as Tony Mc Leod, Tampa, Florida. It was also learned that Mc Leod had changed his telephone number. Based upon the new information, the Escondido Police Department was able to locate Mc Leod in the vicinity of the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and determined that Mc Leod, along with a “Justin Mc Leod” with the same date of birth as the victim, was on a flight from LAX to Tampa, Florida.

On the morning of Tuesday, June 11, 2013, based upon information provided by the Escondido Police Department, law enforcement officers in Tampa, Florida, recovered the victim and arrested Mc Leod as they exited the plane. Mc Leod remains in law enforcement custody in Tampa, Florida.

The FBI, through its Innocent Images National Initiative (IINI), works with local law enforcement agencies across the country to reduce the occurrences of child sexploitation. The mission of the IINI is to reduce the vulnerability of children to acts of sexual exploitation and abuse that are facilitated through the use of computers; to identify and rescue child victims; to investigate and prosecute sexual predators who use the Internet and other online services to sexually exploit children for personal or financial gain; and to strengthen the capabilities of law enforcement to protect children.

This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of California, headed by U.S. Attorney Laura Duffy.

A complaint itself is not evidence that the defendant committed the crimes charged. The defendant is presumed innocent until the government meets its burden in court of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.