Sex Offender Sentenced to Serve More Than 27 Years in Federal Prison for Attempted Enticement of a Minor to Engage in Sexual Activity

OKLAHOMA CITY – Yesterday, STEVEN NEEL HARRY, 62, of Oklahoma City, was sentenced to serve 327 months in federal prison for attempted coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity, announced United States Attorney Robert J. Troester.

On April 18, 2023, a federal grand jury returned a two-count Indictment against Harry, charging him with attempted coercion and enticement of a minor and commission of a felony sex offense by an individual required to register as a sex offender. According to court records, in September 2022, Harry started communicating with an undercover law enforcement officer. During those conversations, Harry made clear that he was a registered sex offender and 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. In March 2023, Harry then coordinated to meet with the “girl” at an Oklahoma City metro motel, where he was arrested. Harry had brought with him to the meeting a leather mask, leather restraints, a hammer, and other items.

“This abhorrent and vile behavior has absolutely no place in our society and will not be tolerated,” said U.S. Attorney Robert Troester. “The swift action by law enforcement and decisive punishment of more than 27 years in prison will ensure that this predator will not harm—or even attempt to harm—innocent children for many years. I applaud the work done by the FBI and prosecutors in my office to hold Mr. Harry accountable and bring him to justice.

“Identifying and stopping child predators before they strike is a critical part of the FBI’s mission,” said FBI Oklahoma City Special Agent in Charge Edward J. Gray. “This sentencing reflects the hard work, dedication, and partnership between the investigators and the prosecution team to ensure the most innocent members of our community are protected.”

On May 31, 2023, Harry pleaded guilty to Count 1, and admitted to using an electronic device to set up a sexual encounter with a minor.

At the sentencing hearing yesterday, U.S. District Judge Charles Goodwin sentenced Harry to serve 327 months in federal prison, followed by a lifetime term of supervised release. In announcing his sentence, Judge Goodwin noted that Harry “fully intended to torture and rape” a child, and that the “most severe punishment” is needed for deterrence and to protect the public. Judge Goodwin also noted Harry’s criminal history. Public records reflect Harry has felony convictions for possession of a machine gun and being a drug addict in possession of firearms in Western District of Oklahoma case number CR-98-60, travel with intent to engage in a sexual act with a minor in Western District of Texas case number CR-02-71, possession of a machine gun in Western District of Oklahoma case number CR-03-13, and failure to comply with the Sex Offender Registration Act in Oklahoma County District Court case number CF-17-6413. Following Harry’s conviction for travel with intent to engage in a sexual act, he was required to register as a sex offender.

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 prosecuted 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 filings for additional information.