A Georgia man is facing life in prison after being convicted on Thursday for flying a minor from Texas to Southwest Florida with the intent to have sex.
Joseph Robusto, 41, was found guilty of transporting a minor with intent to engage in sexual activity and possessing a firearm after a felony conviction.
According to the U.S. State Attorney's office, Robusto began communicating with the minor through social media in "at least February 2021," about engaging in sexual activity.
In July 2021, Robusto bought a plane ticket for the minor with her name and birth date, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office, which confirmed he was aware of the child's age.
On July 17, 2021, the minor flew from Texas to the Southwest Florida International Airport where Robusto was seen on surveillance camera picking her up.
Within a few days, the parent of the minor called the Dilley (Texas) Police Department to report her missing. The parent shared the child's cellphone location with the police.
The Dilley Police Department reached out to the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office for help in finding her and provided the address of a home in Port Charlotte that the cellphone location indicated.
Around 3 a.m. on July 23, 2021, deputies arrived at the house and found Robusto inside with the minor.
During a search of the house, deputies said they found a gun and ammunition in Robusto's backpack.
The U.S. State Attorney's Office said Robusto is a previously convicted felon, which means it is illegal for him to possess a firearm or ammunition under federal law.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement said they did a DNA analysis on evidence and found Robusto's DNA on the rough surfaces of the gun and in the analysis of the sexual assault kit they collected from the minor.
Robusto now faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison and he is scheduled for sentencing on May 5, 2025.
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