Florida man caught making an attempt to journey to Estonia to have intercourse with a 13-year-old

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (CBS12) — A Florida man pleaded responsible Wednesday to a number of felonies for making an attempt to journey to Estonia to have interaction in sexual exercise with a 13-year-old.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, 25-year-old Austin Hibbert of Tallahassee pleaded responsible to persuading a minor to have interaction in sexual exercise, making an attempt to journey to have interaction in illicit sexual conduct, and transferring obscene materials to an individual lower than 16 years of age.

“I’m extremely grateful for the tireless efforts of our worldwide and home regulation enforcement companions to research and intervene in circumstances like this, significantly as a result of predators like this defendant are relentless in committing these disgusting crimes,” said U.S. Attorney Heekin. “This case represented one in all mother and father’ worst nightmares – the focusing on, grooming, and tried exploitation of their little one – however fortunately that nightmare didn’t develop into a actuality for this household.”

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According to court documents, between May 2023 and August 2024, Hibbert chatted with the child daily after meeting her on a gaming website. he reportedly repeatedly told the child that he intended to travel to Estonia to engage in sexual activity with her, and sent her over a dozen explicit videos.

In August of 2024, Hibbert applied for a U.S. passport and booked an international flight from Tallahassee to Estonia, per court documents.

The day of the flight, on August 12, law enforcement said they intercepted Hibbert as he was attempting to board the flight at Tallahassee International Airport. A search of Hibbert’s carry-on bag yielded his passport, a bracelet, and a box of condoms.

Hibbert faces a minimum mandatory sentencing of 10 years and a maximum of life in prison. He is set to be sentenced on October 27.

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