A Louisiana man, Spencer W. Caudle, was sentenced to 97 months in prison for traveling to New Jersey to engage in sexual conduct with a minor, according to U.S. Attorney Alina Habba. Caudle, aged 36, previously pleaded guilty in a Trenton federal court before U.S. District Judge Michael A. Shipp. He was charged with travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.
Court documents and statements reveal that in April 2023, Caudle communicated via online social media with a then-14-year-old victim. Despite knowing the victim's age, Caudle's interactions were sexual. On May 26, 2023, Caudle traveled from Louisiana to Toms River, New Jersey, committing sexual acts with the victim on May 27, 2023, before returning to Louisiana that night.
Law enforcement learned of Caudle’s activities and began probing the incident. In June 2023, an undercover officer started posing as the victim online, during which Caudle admitted to his actions and expressed intent for further sexual encounters. On June 16, 2023, law enforcement arrested Caudle at Newark Liberty International Airport as he returned to New Jersey.
U.S. Attorney Habba credited the successful investigation to agents from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations Newark, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Toms River Police Department.
The case is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 addressing child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys' Offices, along with the Department of Justice's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, lead this initiative to locate and prosecute child exploiters and rescue victims. Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard G. Shephard represents the government in this case.
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