Below is an official statement from Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier regarding a human trafficker sentenced to prison.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General James Uthmeier announced that Sky Skidmore has been sentenced to 20 years in the Florida Department of Corrections, followed by 10 years of sexual offender probation, for human trafficking and related crimes. Skidmore was also designated a sex offender.
“Human trafficking and the exploitation of children are among the most heinous crimes imaginable,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “This predator stole innocence and tried to silence his victim. The sentence secured by Senior Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Guillermo Vallejo ensures he will never again have the chance to harm a child.”
Skidmore pled guilty to human trafficking for commercial sexual activity, lewd or lascivious battery, promoting a sexual performance by a child, tampering with a victim, and use of a two-way device to commit a felony.
In 2023, investigators discovered Skidmore was exploiting a minor for commercial sex. He used various social media platforms, including Facebook and Snapchat, to communicate with the victim and coerced her into performing lewd acts.
Evidence showed that Skidmore sexually abused the victim, promoted the production of child sexual performance materials, and later attempted to intimidate and tamper with the victim during the ongoing case.
The investigation was a joint effort by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Leon County Sheriff’s Office, Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office, Tallahassee Police Department, and the Office of Statewide Prosecution.
