Former Air Force lt. colonel caught in FBI underage sex sting

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — A judge sentenced a former U.S. Air Force Reserve lieutenant colonel to 10 years in prison after he was caught in an FBI underage sex sting.

Agents said Stephen Governale attempted to entice an underage teenage boy for sex, but it was actually an undercover FBI agent posing as the teenager.

"He knows he was wrong, he admitted and pled guilty and we didn't fight it," said Governale's defense attorney, Cynthia Hawkins.

The FBI began targeting Governale after the family of a 17-year-old boy found explicit Facebook chats between Governale and their son.

The teen said he met Governale through an organization affiliated with the military. He said he and Governale would go to conferences and shared a room where they watched porn and engaged in sexual activity.

"We were expecting the 10 years, and we're happy it wasn't higher," Hawkins said.

Governale told the court he was sorry and admitted that he had a problem and needs help, which WFTV found out he's likely to get.

"He asked for therapy for sex offenders within the Bureau of Prisons for sex offenders and the judge will recommend that," Hawkins said.

More than a dozen people came to the court to support Governale Thursday, but once outside had no comment for WFTV.

"It's tragic, it's sad for everyone involved. It's sad for the victims and it's sad for him, but it's his own responsibility," Hawkins said.

Once released from prison, Governale will have to register as a sex offender and will be on probation for 10 years.

WFTV