By: Richard L. Smith
A Louisiana man was sentenced today to 97 months in prison for traveling to New Jersey for the purpose of engaging in explicit conduct with a minor, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.
Spencer W. Caudle, 36, of Prairieville, Louisiana, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Michael A. Shipp in Trenton federal court to an information charging him with traveling with intent to engage in illicit explicit conduct.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
In or around April 2023, Caudle began interacting on online social media applications with the then-14-year-old victim. Caudle’s communications with the victim were explicit in nature despite the victim informing Caudle of the victim’s minor status.
Caudle even expressed nervousness about being on the show “To Catch a Predator,” but continued informing the victim of his desire to have explicit contact with the victim.
On May 26, 2023, Caudle drove from Louisiana to meet and have explicit contact with the victim in Toms River, New Jersey, the following day. On May 27, 2023, Caudle, in fact, committed explicit acts on the victim. Later that night, Caudle left New Jersey to drive back to Louisiana.
Local law enforcement became aware of Caudle’s prohibited explicit activity with the victim and began an investigation. In June 2023, an undercover law enforcement officer assumed the victim’s online and cellular presence and communicated with Caudle.
During these conversations, Caudle confirmed his prior explicit acts with the victim and expressed a desire for further explicit activity. 
While communicating with the undercover officer, Caudle made plans to return to New Jersey to commit additional explicit acts on the victim.
On June 16, 2023, Caudle flew from Louisiana to New Jersey, and law enforcement arrested him upon his arrival at the Newark Liberty International Airport.