Rickey Lee Miller, Jr., a 45-year-old resident of Ocala, Florida, has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison. This sentence will be followed by a life term of supervised release. The sentencing was handed down by United States District Judge Thomas P. Barber after Miller pleaded guilty on September 6, 2024, to attempting to entice a minor for sexual activity.
The case details reveal that on July 27, 2024, a detective from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office impersonated a 15-year-old girl on an online messaging platform. Miller initiated contact with the undercover account and engaged in sexually explicit conversations. He proposed meeting for "some fun" with the supposed minor and another female friend. During their conversation, he asked if she could pretend to be 18 years old to his friend. Upon arriving at a predetermined location with his friend to meet the minor, Miller was arrested by law enforcement officers. The cellphone found in his vehicle matched the one used for communication with the undercover detective.
David Pezzutti, Assistant Special Agent in Charge at Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Orlando stated: “Attempting to entice a minor into harmful activity is a serious crime, and this prosecution underscores our unwavering commitment to protecting the most vulnerable members of our community.” He highlighted the collaboration between HSI and local law enforcement agencies including the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Ocala Police Department, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and Chiefland Police Department.
The investigation involved multiple agencies: Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Ocala Police Department, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Chiefland Police Department, and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Janette Swartzberg prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood—a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse. The project combines resources from federal, state, and local levels to prosecute offenders and rescue victims.
For more information about Project Safe Childhood visit www.justice.gov/psc.