Source: Office of United States Attorneys
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday has sentenced Robert Boyan Carra (44, Clearwater) to 7 years and 3 months in federal prison for receiving, distributing, and possessing child sexual abuse material. The court also ordered Carra to pay $15,000 in restitution to the victims of the offense. Carra entered a guilty plea on January 12, 2024.
According to court documents, in April 2023, agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) executed a federal search warrant at Carra’s residence and discovered more than 300 videos and images of child sexual abuse material on several electronic devices belonging to Carra. Federal agents arrested Carra in June 2023 at Tampa International Airport and seized his cellphone. A forensic search revealed more than 700 images and videos of child sexual abuse material.
“This sentencing for the receipt, distribution, and possession of child sexual abuse material reaffirms HSI’s unwavering commitment to collaborate with our law enforcement partners to seek out those who exploit our children’s innocence,” said HSI Tampa Assistant Special Agent in Charge Kristopher Pagitt.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations – Tampa, with substantial assistance from the Pinellas Park Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Erin Claire Favorit.
This is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 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 and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.