Former Pinellas Teacher Pleads Guilty to Child Sexual Abuse Crimes

Tampa, FL - Lee Hughes (46, Pinellas Park) has pleaded guilty to attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor, attempted coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity, and receipt and possession of child sex abuse material. Hughes faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison. His sentencing date has not yet been set. United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.

According to court documents, Hughes communicated with an undercover officer online for months with the understanding the undercover officer had a 9-year-old daughter. Hughes expressed his specific explicit desire to sexually abuse the purported 9-year-old girl. During those conversations, he also sent explicit photos and videos of himself, which he requested be shown to the purported child. On May 1, 2025, Hughes arrived at a predetermined location with a purple teddy bear to engage in sexual activity with the 9-year-old girl. He was apprehended by the FBI on scene.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Abigail K. King.

It is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify, rescue, and seek justice for child victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.