Former Charlotte County deputy pleads guilty to exchanging inappropriate messages, photos with minor

FORT MYERS, Fla. —

A former Charlotte County deputy has pleaded guilty to enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity.

According to the Department of Justice, James Gregory Ford, 34, of Port Charlotte, pleaded guilty to charges on Thursday and faces a minimum of 10 years in federal prison.

According to court documents, in October 2025, Ford was communicating with a minor on a social media app. He asked the minor to send him nude photos and videos of herself, and sent a nude picture of himself to the minor.

An investigation began after the minor's parents reported seeing the conversations with Ford and seeing the nude photographs.

On October 28, 2025, law enforcement interviewed Ford, who confessed to engaging in inappropriate conversations and exchanging images with the minor. Ford also admitted that he had initiated the communications, the DOJ said.

Ford previously worked with the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office, but quit after being charged.

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