Long Beach sex offender indicted for attempted child sex trafficking and using the internet to entice a minor

LOS ANGELES – A convicted sex offender from Long Beach has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of attempted sex trafficking of a child for allegedly responding to an online advertisement that offered sex with a 15-year-old girl in exchange for $200.

Victor James Sporman, 46, who previously resided in Bellflower, was named in a two-count indictment returned Tuesday afternoon by a federal grand jury. The indictment charges Sporman with attempted sex trafficking of a child and using the internet to induce a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity. Both of the charges in the indictment carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison and statutory maximum sentence of life.

The case against Sporman is the result of an undercover operation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigation (HSI), with substantial assistance from the Long Beach Police Department. Authorities were conducting an anti-sex trafficking operation in Long Beach and posted an advertisement on the Craigslist website to attract individuals interested in engaging in commercial sex acts with minors.

"This defendant is charged with using the internet to locate a child to rape in exchange for money," said United States Attorney Eileen M. Decker. "This indictment reflects conduct that is abhorrent in a civilized society, and is the latest example of my office's dedication to protecting vulnerable members of our society, especially children victimized by the sex trafficking industry."

On Oct. 26, Sporman responded to the advertisement via e-mail and subsequently engaged in a series of text messages with an undercover agent he thought was a 15-year-old girl, according to the indictment. Sporman agreed to pay $200 to engage in sex with the "girl." Sporman repeatedly texted photographs of himself, money, and his genitals. In preparation for a Dec. 6 encounter, Sporman purchased condoms. When Sporman arrived at the hotel to have the sexual encounter with the girl, he had approximately $200 in his possession, as well as two condoms.

Sporman was arrested at the hotel Dec. 6 and made his initial court appearance the next day, when he was released on a $40,000 bond. The defendant is expected to be arraigned on the indictment Jan. 3 in U.S. District Court in downtown Los Angeles.

An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

"The predators who are brazenly stalking our children online need to know that HSI, together with its law enforcement partners, is working tirelessly to track you down and hold you accountable for your crimes," said Joseph Macias, special agent in charge for HSI Los Angeles. "We need the public's assistance in this effort. We urge anyone in the community who has information about this case, or any other incident involving possible child sex trafficking, to come forward so we can prosecute the perpetrators and provide assistance to their victims."

Investigators believe there may be unidentified underage victims related to Sporman. Any member of the public who has information is requested to contact investigators by using HSI's toll-free tip line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or by completing an online form.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lana Morton-Owens of the Violent and Organized Crime Section.