A Sarasota doctor, Pete Supan, aged 35 from Bradenton, has been indicted on charges of coercion and enticement of a minor for sexual activity and the production of child sex abuse material. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg. If found guilty on all counts, Supan could face a maximum sentence of life in federal prison.
The indictment alleges that Supan coerced and enticed an individual under 18 to engage in sexual activities. Additionally, he is accused of persuading or coercing the minor into sexually explicit conduct to produce visual depictions.
It is important to note that an indictment serves as a formal charge against a defendant who is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation leading to these charges. Assistant United States Attorney Courtney Derry will prosecute the case.
This legal action falls under Project Safe Childhood, an initiative started 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 and prosecute those who exploit children while also working to rescue victims. Further information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.justice.gov/psc.