A man from Houston has been sentenced to ten years in federal prison after admitting to coercing and exploiting a minor.
Brice On March 20, Andrew Flickinger, 25, pled guilty to coercing and enticing a minor. The sentencing was announced on Wednesday by US Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
The judge who imposed the sentence stated at the hearing that Flickinger had a sexual relationship with a “very young minor.”
The investigation began on July 9, 2021, when the victim’s mother reported her daughter missing.
Later, authorities noticed a car dropping off the child near her home and conducted a traffic check. Investigators say they found Flickinger in the passenger seat.
Authorities seized his phone, and a forensic check turned up at least nine videos of sexually explicit conduct between Flickinger and the youngster.
A later search order at Flickinger’s residence revealed additional evidence, including a set of handcuffs discovered next to his bed.
According to detectives, Flickinger first met the kid on social media, and they met in person around 15 times. According to investigators, he would always pick up the youngster after midnight and drive them to his residence.
The court also heard a letter from the victim, who described years of emotional trauma as a result of the abuse, which began when she was a toddler.
In addition to his prison sentence, Flickinger must pay $5,000 and surrender his phone. Restitution will be decided at a later date.
Once freed, he will be subject to federal supervision for the rest of his life, must adhere to rigorous internet and kid contact restrictions, and register as a sex offender.
Flickinger will stay in detention pending his transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility. The FBI conducted the investigation, with support from the Harris County and Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Offices.
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