PINELLAS COUNTY, FL — A Pinellas County teacher pleaded guilty to attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor, attempted coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity, and receipt and possession of child sex abuse material, the U.S. Department of Justice said in a news release.
Lee Hughes, 46, of Pinellas Park faces up to life in prison. His sentencing date hasn’t been set.
He was previously a third-grade teacherat Pinellas Preparatory Academy in Largo.
Hughes communicated with an undercover officer online for months believing the officer had a 9-year-old daughter. He expressed his desire to sexually abuse the girl, the U.S. DOJ said.
During their conversations, Hughes also sent explicit photos and videos of himself to the officer, which he requested be shown to the purported child.
He arrived at a predetermined location on May 1 with a purple teddy bear planning to engage in sexual activity with the girl, the DOJ said.
He was apprehended by the FBI at the scene.