United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

FLORIDA MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO USING THE INTERNET TO ATTEMPT TO ENGAGE IN SEX WITH A MINOR

Kevin J. O'Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ERIC L. HOPKINS, age 32, of Margate, Florida, pleaded guilty today to a charge of using the internet to attempt to persuade and entice a minor to engage in sexual activity. HOPKINS' plea of guilty was accepted by United States District Judge Stefan F. Underhill in Bridgeport federal court.

In pleading guilty to the charge, HOPKINS admitted that he traveled from Florida to Georgia on October 2, 2003, for the purpose of attempting to travel to Connecticut in order to engage in sexual activity with a minor. HOPKINS was arrested in Georgia on the evening of October 2, 2003. Under federal law, adults are prohibited from engaging in any sexual act with persons who have not attained the age of eighteen years.

"The combined efforts of federal, state and local law enforcement has removed another internet predator from the streets," U.S. Attorney O'Connor stated. "We will continue to work diligently to protect children from harm."

When he is sentenced on April 1, 2004, Hopkins faces a possible term of imprisonment of up to 30 years and a mandatory minimum term of five years imprisonment. He may also be required to serve a period of supervised release of up to five years and pay a fine of up to $250,000.

The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Computer Crimes Task Force, which includes agents from the FBI, the United States Postal Service, the Connecticut State Police, Connecticut Chief State's Attorney's Office, Defense Criminal Investigation Service, United States Secret Service, and detectives from the Glastonbury, Madison, New Britain, and Milford Police Departments. Assistant United States Attorney John A. Danaher III is prosecuting the case.

CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov