Oklahoma City Man Charged with Attempted Enticement and Coercion of a Minor to Engage in Sexual Activity

OKLAHOMA CITY — Today, STEVEN NEEL HARRY, 61, of Oklahoma City was arrested on a charge of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity, announced United States Attorney Robert J. Troester.

A criminal complaint filed today charges Harry with one count of attempt to persuade, induce, entice and coerce an individual who had not reached the age of 18 to engage in sexual activity.  An affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint indicates that 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 after he arrived at the metro hotel this morning.

This afternoon, Harry had his initial appearance on the complaint in federal court in Oklahoma City.  Harry is detained in federal custody pending further proceedings in the case.

If found guilty of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor, the defendant faces no less than 10 years and up to life in federal prison, a fine of $250,000, and a special assessment of $55,100.  The defendant would also be required to serve a term of supervised release of at least five years and up to life.

This case is the result of an investigation by the FBI Oklahoma City Field Office.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Allison 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.

The public is reminded that these charges are merely allegations, and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.  Reference is made to public records for more information.  The criminal complaint filed in this case is attached.