OCALA, Fla. — A Marion County man has been sentenced to more than a decade for attempting to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity following an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Orlando.
Joseph Raymond Morin, 51, of Ocala, was sentenced to 11 years and three months in federal prison, followed by a life term of supervised release. He pled guilty on Sept. 5, 2024.
According to documents and evidence presented in court, between May 3 and June 26, 2024, Morin communicated online with someone whom he believed was a 13-year-old girl. The child, however, was an undercover HSI special agent. Morin engaged in a sexually explicit conversation with the undercover agent. Ultimately, Morin was arrested when he traveled to a pre-determined location in Marion County to meet with the fictitious minor to engage in sexual activity. Morin has a lengthy criminal history, including a prior federal conviction for a firearm offense.
“This sentence serves as a stark reminder that Homeland Security Investigations is committed to protecting children from online predators,” said HSI Orlando Assistant Special Agent in Charge David Pezzutti. “HSI, alongside our law enforcement partners at all levels, are dedicated to working tirelessly to rescue children.”
This case was investigated by HSI Orlando and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Janette Swartzberg.
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.
To report any information about human trafficking, child sexual abuse, or the trafficking in child sexual abuse material contact the HSI Tip Line at 877-4-HSI-TIP or report it through the CyberTipline on the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s website.
Learn more about HSI Tampa’s mission to increase public safety in Florida communities on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @HSITampa.