Today, STEVEN NEEL HARRY, 61, of Oklahoma City pleaded guilty to attempted coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity, announced United States Attorney Robert J. Troester.
According to an affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, Harry started communicating with an undercover law enforcement officer in September 2022. During those conversations, Harry discussed meeting an individual at a hotel in Oklahoma City to engage in sexual activity with a person whom Harry believed was a 12-year-old girl. FBI agents arrested Harry on March 22, 2023, after he arrived at the metro hotel.
On April 18, 2023, a federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment against Harry. Count 1 charged him with attempted coercion and enticement of a minor, and Count 2 charged him with commission of a felony sex offense by an individual required to register as a sex offender.
This afternoon, Harry pleaded guilty to Count 1 of the indictment before Judge Charles B. Goodwin. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled in approximately 90 days. At sentencing, Harry faces not less than 10 years and up to life in federal prison, a fine of $250,000, and a special assessment of $55,100. Harry would also be required to serve a term of supervised release of at least five years and up to life. He has been in federal custody since his arrest on March 22, 2023.
This case is the result of an investigation by the FBI Oklahoma City Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Allison B. Christian and Brandon Hale are prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney's Offices and the DOJ Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, PSC marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about PSC, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Reference is made to public records for more information.
