El Paso Standard

A Florida man has been sentenced to over 22 years in federal prison for attempting to entice a minor into sexual activity and committing a felony offense involving a minor while being required to register as a sex offender. The sentencing took place on February 20, 2025, following an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Orlando.

Chad Allen Pease, aged 49 from Fort Pierce, was found guilty by a federal jury on November 20, 2024. Assistant Special Agent in Charge David Pezzutti stated, "This predator intentionally singled out a child, devised a plan, and executed it with the sole purpose of harming the most vulnerable in our community." He credited the successful removal of Pease from the streets to the collaborative efforts of HSI investigators, Osceola County Sheriff's Office, FBI’s Cellular Analysis Survey Team, and Polk County Sheriff's Office.

The trial revealed that on February 3, 2024, Pease began communicating with an undercover law enforcement officer posing as the father of a 13-year-old girl. During their exchanges, Pease arranged to meet with them so he could engage in sexual activities with the child. He traveled 18 miles to meet them but conducted counter-surveillance before fleeing. Law enforcement later identified him and arrested him at his home.

Pease had previously been convicted of a sex offense in 2008 for sending explicit photographs and traveling to meet someone he believed was a young girl. Since then, he has been required to register as a sex offender.

The case was investigated by ICE Orlando and Osceola County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from the FBI's Cellular Analysis Survey Team and Polk County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Varadan and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Del Mastro.