Oregon man convicted after sending sexually explicit images, enticing Idaho teenager
A 30-year-old Oregon man has been convicted of attempting to coerce and entice a then-15-year-old Idaho girl, and he will be sentenced to at least 20 years in prison in February.
Brett Michael Malone, of Adrian, Oregon, was found guilty Thursday by a federal jury in Boise after a four-day trial, according to a news release from the United States Attorney’s Office in Idaho. After the verdict, Malone admitted a sentencing enhancement of committing the crime while having the duty to register as a sex offender. He was convicted of third-degree rape in Malheur County, Oregon, in 2013.
According to testimony and evidence, Malone used Facebook to communicate with a 15-year-old girl in Idaho. He sent the victim sexually explicit images and enticed her to meet him for sexual conduct.
The victim’s mother located messages between Malone and the girl on her daughter’s cellphone before reporting them to Homeland Security Investigations. Agents with Homeland Security assumed the victim’s identity, during which Malone continued to engage in sexually explicit conversation while they were posing as the victim.
When Malone traveled to meet the victim, law enforcement agents apprehended him.
“Law enforcement did a great job in this case of responding quickly and effectively to a parent’s concern,” U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit said in the release. “Because of that, this offender is unable to victimize anyone else.”
Attempted coercion and enticement of a minor carries a minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and at least five years up to a lifetime of supervised release. The sentencing enhancement also carries a minimum of 10 years in prison, which will run consecutively. Malone will also be required to register as a sex offender.
Malone’s sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 6, 2023, in Boise.
