OCALA, Florida — A 24-year-old Indian national, Kirtan Patel, has pleaded guilty to attempting to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity, according to the United States Attorney’s Office. Patel faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life in federal prison, though a sentencing date has not yet been set.
Between May 22 and 24, 2024, Patel communicated online with an individual he believed to be a 13-year-old girl, who was actually an undercover Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agent. Patel engaged in sexually explicit conversations and was arrested when he traveled to Marion County to meet the supposed minor, stated the source.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Janette Swartzberg. This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. The initiative aims to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children and to identify and rescue victims. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.justice.gov/psc.