HERNANDO COUNTY, Fla. – A jury found a 42-year-old Hernando County man, Christian Bert Fischer, 42, guilty of traveling to meet a minor for sex.
“Not only was it disturbing that Fischer willingly agreed to meet up with a minor for sexual gratification, but he brought items with him that would have enabled him to carry out his deranged fantasies,” said William “Bill” Gladson, Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney. “If you come across someone online who is attempting to entice a juvenile, don’t wait – contact law enforcement immediately. Your tip can help ensure a safer digital community for our children.”
On January 20, 2022, a citizen who had created a fictitious profile account posing as a minor child on social media to communicate with and identify people who seduce, solicit, lure, or entice children to engage in unlawful sexual conduct was contacted by Fischer online.
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Fischer messaged who he thought was a 13-year-old boy.
During the message exchange with the citizen, Fischer not only acknowledged the age of the child but went on to ask if they had ever been with anyone sexually.
After continuing to communicate with the child through increasingly explicit messages, Fischer planned to meet up with the minor at a local store. Once at the store, the citizen confronted Fischer on his purpose there and his intentions to meet with the juvenile for sexual gratification. The citizen then called law enforcement to respond. The interaction was recorded and eventually turned over to local officials at the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO).
Authorities with the HCSO responded to the location and were informed by the citizen of the nature of the meeting with Fischer, who had fled prior to their arrival. However, the citizen stated to deputies that Fischer had discarded a bag into the trash bin before fleeing. Deputies retrieved the bag which contained a box of chocolates, a bottle of chocolate syrup, and one bag of gummy rings.
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Officials located Fischer shortly after, who was in possession of another bag that contained a hairbrush, condoms, and an enema. During an interview, Fischer admitted to knowing the person he was talking to was only 13 years of age. Additionally, he confessed to sending sexually charged messages to the minor and attempting to meet up with the child.
Investigators had enough evidence and subsequently arrested Fischer for traveling to meet a minor, use of a computer to seduce, solicit, or lure a child, unlawful use of a two-way communications device, and possession of marijuana.
This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Angelina Rodeo and Ben Larison.
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