A Canadian man who flew into Orlando expecting to meet what he thought was a 12-year-old is now facing more than 17 years in federal prison. The sentence was handed down in federal court in Orlando today, after he pleaded guilty to attempted enticement of a minor and multiple child sexual abuse material charges. Federal prosecutors say the case started with an undercover Orange County Sheriff’s Office operation, and the prosecution was handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida.
Canadian national sentenced to 17+ years for attempted enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity & distributing, transporting & possessing child sexual abuse material. #PSCMDFL@HSITampa@OrangeCoSheriff@CBPFloridahttps://t.co/o4EnbtFWhBpic.twitter.com/IFwoOzwXUv
— USAO Middle Florida (@USAO_MDFL) March 24, 2026
The defendant, 30-year-old James Hjelmeland of Canada, pleaded guilty in November 2025 to one count of attempted enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity and four counts involving distributing, transporting, and possessing child sexual abuse material, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Prosecutors say Hjelmeland was arrested in Orlando after investigators found child sexual abuse material on his phone that they allege he had transported into the United States.
How the Sting Unfolded
According to local reporting that reviewed the federal plea agreement, on Dec. 29, 2024, an Orange County Sheriff’s Office undercover detective posed as the guardian of a 12-year-old and exchanged sexually explicit messages with the defendant. During those conversations, the defendant allegedly sent images and arranged travel from Canada to Orlando, and investigators say he arrived with illegal material already on his device. These details were described in coverage by rdnewsNOW, which reviewed the federal filings.
Penalties and What’s at Stake…