Florida has become ground zero in the fight against predators targeting children.
Attorney General James Uthmeier just made a major announcement.
And Florida’s Attorney General announced one conviction that left parents breathing easier tonight.
Human Trafficking Conviction Sends Strong Message
Attorney General James Uthmeier held a press conference in Tampa Monday to announce the conviction and arrests of several predators targeting children and vulnerable women across Florida.
Marquett James, 50, of Hillsborough County faces up to 120 years in prison after a jury convicted him in November on two counts of human trafficking, one count of racketeering, and one count of conspiracy to commit racketeering.
The investigation started in 2021 after a cybertip to the National Human Trafficking Hotline.
James targeted young women between 2012 and 2020 by starting romantic relationships before forcing them into commercial sex work.
He seized all profits and subjected victims to physical, sexual, and psychological abuse.
In one case, James threatened to release pornographic material of a victim to maintain control over her.
Authorities estimate he profited hundreds of thousands of dollars from each victim.
One woman became homeless as a direct result of his abuse.
James will be sentenced Friday and faces the rest of his life behind bars.
"Florida is not a sanctuary state for criminals, and if you come after our kids, we will leave no stone unturned to hold you accountable," Uthmeier said.
https://twitter.com/AGJamesUthmeier/status/2018365629519057373?s=20
Restaurant Owner Faces 18 Counts of Child Pornography
Uthmeier also announced the arrest of Lucas Jose Herraiz, 42, former owner of LALA St. Pete restaurant in St. Petersburg.
The St. Petersburg Police Department arrested Herraiz on January 28 after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children flagged uploads to a Dropbox account.
Investigators traced the activity to Herraiz's home and business through subpoenas and search warrants.
Police recovered 18 graphic videos depicting young children in sex acts.
Herraiz faces 18 counts of possession of child pornography.
He's a French national on an E-2 visa who will face deportation following any conviction and sentence.
Uthmeier said there are probably more charges to come and Herraiz will face significant prison time.
In a separate case, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement arrested Michael Younce, 33, of Citrus County on January 27.
A covert investigation uncovered nine child pornography videos on Younce's mobile device.
Additional searches of two computers are ongoing with potential further charges pending.
Younce faces nine counts of possession of child pornography.
FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass noted the videos depicted children younger than five years old.
"That's pre-pubescent, that is just a sick individual," Glass stated.
https://twitter.com/AGJamesUthmeier/status/2018339437256806411?s=20
Death Penalty Case Against Serial Child Predator Moves Forward
The Attorney General's Office also filed an additional felony charge of lewd and lascivious molestation on a child under 12 against Nathan Holmberg in Hillsborough County.
This adds to the avalanche of charges Holmberg already faces across multiple counties.
A Hernando County grand jury indicted Holmberg in November on 25 felonies, including seven counts of capital sexual battery on a child under 12.
Those charges make the Holmberg death penalty eligible.
The Office of Statewide Prosecution filed 47 additional felonies in January, including 39 counts of use of a child in a sexual performance, seven counts of lewd and lascivious molestation, and one count of video voyeurism.
Holmberg now faces 14 potential life sentences, seven death sentences, and up to 2,355 years in prison.
More charges are anticipated as investigators continue examining 30 electronic devices seized from Holmberg.
"We're looking at 14 life sentences there, seven death sentences and over 2,355 years in prison," Uthmeier explained at the press conference. "People ask, 'Why do you list all this out? Isn't one death sentence or one life sentence enough?' It is not. We have to explain to the public how serious this is."
A good Samaritan provided detectives with a disturbing video in October showing Holmberg allegedly abusing a child.
That tip led to his arrest and the discovery of approximately 650 pictures and videos of child sexual abuse.
Holmberg worked as a nanny, babysitter, and YMCA employee across multiple Florida counties.
He volunteered at churches and as a youth coach to gain access to children.
Investigators believe he victimized at least eight children between the ages of 3 and 10.
Trump Administration Partnership Makes Difference
Uthmeier pointed out that the human trafficking case against Marquett James sat dormant under the Biden administration.
"The federal government under the Biden administration had this case for a number of years and chose not to do anything with it. They did not prosecute," Uthmeier said. "Once the administration changed and the Trump administration came in, HSI reached out to the state, seeking some help, wanting to work together and work together we did."
Homeland Security Investigations Tampa Acting Assistant Special Agent in Charge Michael Calvo emphasized the severity of human trafficking crimes.
"Human trafficking is more than a crime — it's an atrocity," Calvo stated.
https://twitter.com/AGJamesUthmeier/status/2015835898462531599?s=20
The press conference included leaders from HSI Tampa, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the St. Petersburg Police Department.
St. Petersburg Police Chief Anthony Holloway stressed the importance of multiagency cooperation.
"Public safety is a shared mission," Holloway explained.
A special task force including the Hernando County Sheriff's Office, Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney's Office, Office of Statewide Prosecution, and Florida Highway Patrol is investigating Holmberg's crimes across multiple jurisdictions.
Special Counsel Rita Peters secured the human trafficking conviction against Marquett James along with Special Counsel Stephanie Bergen.
Peters will also prosecute Herraiz and Younce in their respective counties, as well as handling the Holmberg case in Pinellas and Hillsborough counties.
State Attorney Bill Gladson is prosecuting Holmberg in Hernando County.
Florida's aggressive approach to protecting children stands in stark contrast to the Biden administration's hands-off attitude toward predators.
The message from Uthmeier and law enforcement couldn't be clearer.
Predators who target Florida's children will face the full weight of the law and the maximum penalties available.
"Going after predators is our number one priority and it is not going to change," Uthmeier declared.
Sources:
- Drew Dixon, "James Uthmeier: 2 Tampa area men nabbed in child pornography investigations," Florida Politics, February 2, 2026.
- Skyler Shepard and Grace Bellinghausen, "AG Uthmeier details human trafficking conviction, child exploitation arrests in Tampa," CBS12, February 2, 2026.
- Frank Kopylov, "Florida AG announces conviction in Human Trafficking case, multiple child pornography arrests," Nexstar Media, February 2, 2026.
- Bryce Johnson and Andy Paden, "Florida AG James Uthmeier seeking historic sentence in case involving accused child predator," WTSP, February 2, 2026.
- "State leaders crack down on sexual and child predators in Tampa Bay," WFLA, February 2, 2026.
