Juan Carlos Guzman

In the interrogation room, detectives interviewed Juan before Chris Hansen entered the room to interview him. When Chris asked Juan to help him understand the situation, Juan admitted what he did was a mistake, acknowledging the girl was underage. With a somber look, Juan told Chris that the profile said the decoy was eighteen, but he admitted the decoy later told him that she was fourteen. He tried to argue that the photograph of the decoy looked older, but Chris refuted this. When asked if he thought he would have had sex with the girl, Juan said that he was feeling "yes and no." He then told Chris that, as he was arriving, he was getting nervous and having second thoughts, describing how the Sheriff's deputies were moving in on him. He then denied having any conversations with any other minors online.

When Chris asked why Juan would decide to do something like attempting to solicit a minor online, Juan claimed that he "lost [his] mind" and didn't know what he was thinking, knowing he shouldn't have done it. Juan told Chris he had worked in hospital maintenance and home repairs, renovations, and improvements, describing his decision to go through the meeting as a devil on the shoulder situation. When asked if he thought his behavior was appropriate, he admitted it was not, claiming he didn't understand why this had happened. He then admitted to Chris that he had lied about being single and revealed that he was married. When asked how it looked that he brought condoms he bought on the way, Juan admitted he did what he did without realizing the consequences. Juan further expressed regret and reiterated he had never done such a thing before, going on to reason that his heavy working schedule and lack of time spent with his wife was a motivating factor in his decision, admitting he still couldn't fully understand why he did this.

When Chris brought up the prospect that Juan may have done potentially dangerous things to patients in the hospital, Juan denied this, affirming he strictly focused on his work.

Juan was charged with four felonies: Travelling to Meet a Child After Using a Computer, Use of a Two-Way Communication Device to Commit a Felony, Transmitting Material Harmful to a Minor, and Attempted Lewd Battery. He pleaded not guilty to all charges and requested a jury trial, with a pre-trial conference hearing set for January 26th, 2023.

Juan could not post bail and was held in the Polk County Jail.

On March 16th, 2023, Juan was convicted of Travelling to Meet a Minor to Commit an Unlawful Sexual Offense, Lewd or Lascivious Molestation of a Victim Aged 12-15, and sending Harmful Material to a Minor. He was sentenced to 5 years in prison, with 194 days as credit for time served, and 5 years of probation. He will be forced to register as a sex offender upon release, and subsequently will be deported. He is scheduled to be released on December 2nd, 2026.

In April 2026, an ICE detainer was placed on Guzman, meaning he will be deported once he is released from prison. He is currently being held at the Northwest Florida Reception Center at a facility partnered with ICE.

Juan was held in the same holding facility as his sting mate, Andrew Lewis , although it is unknown if the two men ever interacted. Although Juan expressed remorse and regret, he never once directly apologises for his actions throughout the entire sting.