TAMPA, Fla. — A Florida man has been indicted with attempted coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity, attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor, receipt of child sex abuse material, and accessing with intent to view child sex abuse material following an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Tampa.
Yitzchak Reuven Baum, 36, of Tampa, faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison if convicted on all counts.
According to the indictment, between August and October 2023, Baum attempted to persuade an individual Baum believed to be a minor to engage in sexual activity. In October 2023, Baum attempted to transfer an explicit image to an individual Baum believed to be under the age of 16. On Oct. 30, 2023, Baum knowingly received a visual depiction that involved the sexual abuse of a minor. On Dec. 29, 2023, Baum accessed with the intent to view an image depicting the sexual abuse of a minor.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by HSI Tampa and Air Force Office of Special Investigations. It will be prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Courtney Derry.
HSI Tampa's area of responsibility, which includes 10 geographically strategic offices, covers more than 51,600 square miles of the total 65,757 square miles in the state of Florida. This region has more than 14.2 million people and includes 58 of the 67 counties. HSI Tampa also includes five of the 10 largest cities in Florida, 15 primary commercial service airports, and 11 seaports.
Learn more about HSI Tampa’s mission to increase public safety in Florida communities on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @HSITampa.
To report any information about human trafficking, child sexual abuse, or the trafficking in child sexual abuse material contact the HSI Tip Line at 1-877-4-HSI-TIP or report it through the CyberTipline on the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children's website.