Bradenton man sentenced after trying to lure girl to his truck, prosecutors say
A Bradenton man will spend nearly two years in jail after a jury convicted him of showing pornography to a girl and trying to lure her into a truck, prosecutors said.
A Manatee County jury convicted 60-year-old Gerald Timmons of introduction of pornography to a minor and luring or enticing a child for crimes committed the previous year, according to court records.
In addition to jail time, court records show Circuit Judge Teresa K. Dees also sentenced Timmons to two years of community control and one year of probation, while also designating him a sexual offender.
An attorney representing Timmons did not immediately respond to the Bradenton Herald’s request for comment.
According to an arrest report, deputies were called to Samoset Elementary School at 3300 19th St. E. Bradenton in May 2025 after a girl told school officials that a man living in a moving truck parked outside her home had repeatedly approached her.
During the two days the truck was parked there, Timmons showed pornography to the girl and repeatedly tried to lure her into the back of the truck, according to prosecutors. The girl told investigators she refused when Timmons asked her to get into the truck and that he responded by telling her to “just get a little closer,” according to an arrest report.
Bradenton man sentenced after luring girl
Investigators said Timmons later knocked on the family’s door and asked the girl to come back outside. On another occasion, when she went to get the mail, he again approached her and asked her to do things, according to the arrest report.
The girl told investigators she was scared because Timmons was carrying a knife and feared she could be hurt if she went near the truck, according to the report.
Assistant State Attorney Scott Callin praised investigators and the girl who testified during the trial.
“Law enforcement conducted an exceptional investigation in quickly locating crucial evidence, finding the defendant and ensuring that he would not have another opportunity to prey upon Manatee County’s youth,” Callin said in a written statement.
“We also commend this young girl’s bravery in coming forward, then later facing the defendant and testifying against him,” Callin added. “We hope that this verdict and sentence will help keep the community safe.”
