United States of America v. Michael M. Gott

Benton, Illinois criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with attempting to entice a purpoted 11-year-old child.



Michael M. Gott, 62, pleaded guilty to one count of attempted enticement of a minor. In addition to the 15-year prison sentence, Gott will serve five years of supervised release.



"Those who try to sexually abuse children deserve justice in proportion to the deviance of their behavior, which in this case was a significant federal prison sentence,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. "The United States Attorney's Office and its law enforcement partners will continue to aggressively prosecute minor enticement cases and do all we can to protect children.”



In March 2021, an undercover agent with the FBI conducted an investigation on an online dating discussion forum to detect child predators. According to court documents, Gott began conversing with the undercover agent who was posing as the mother of a purported 11-year-old child. During the conversation, Gott made plans with the mother to engage in sexual conduct with the minor child.



"This sentence reflects the serious nature of Gott's offense and demonstrates the FBI's commitment to identify, investigate and arrest those intent on harming the most vulnerable members of our society,” said FBI Springfield Special Agent in Charge David Nanz. "The FBI will continue our efforts to thwart attempts to entice children, because every offender that lands in custody represents another step toward a safer community and a safer world for our children.”



Gott was arrested by agents while attempting to meet the purported pair and escort them to a hotel room he had rented in Paducah, Kentucky.



FBI Springfield Field Office led the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Casey Bloodworth and David Sanders prosecuted the case.



18:2422(b) Attempted Enticement of a Minor

(1)

Defendant is committed to the custody of Bureau of Prisons for a term of 180 months as to Count 1 of the Indictment. Upon release from imprisonment, defendant shall be placed on supervised release for a term of 5 years as to Count 1 of the Indictment. Defendant shall pay a $100.00 Special Assessment and $100.00 Fine.