A Tampa man faces a potential life sentence following his indictment on several counts related to child sexual exploitation. Angel Rivera, age 49, has been formally charged with coercion and enticement of a minor for sexual activity, production of child sexual abuse material, and transferring obscene material to a minor, according to an indictment made public by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
The indictment, obtained by the Department of Justice website, alleges that from October 15 to November 22, 2025, Rivera engaged in a series of criminal acts to coerce a minor into sexual activity. The document claims on October 16, Rivera attempted to send obscene materials to a person he believed was under 16, and on multiple occasions later that month, he allegedly coerced a minor into sexually explicit conduct to produce visual depictions.
If convicted on all counts, Rivera could spend the remainder of his life in a federal prison. While an indictment signals charges against an individual, it is important to remember that it is not a conviction—the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The investigation, led by the FBI and the Tampa Police Department with Assistant U.S. Attorney Courtney Derry prosecuting the case, reflects a collaborative effort to address sexual exploitation crimes against children.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative by the Department of Justice launched in May 2006. The aim is to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation, and abuse, "Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS)," according to their official statement. The program coordinates federal, state, and local resources to apprehend offenders and aid victims.
