Laredo Judge Jails Michael James Corsten in Child Luring Case

Lake Jackson man Michael James Corsten, 40, is headed to federal prison after pleading guilty to attempting to entice a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity. The conviction, handed down Dec. 15, 2015, culminated in a harsh 180-month sentence delivered today by U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia-Marmolejo in Laredo, Texas.

Corsten initiated contact through a Craigslist ad labeled “family fun,” sparking a digital paper trail of depravity. He believed he was communicating with a parent offering access to their 14-year-old daughter. Instead, he was negotiating with law enforcement. Over the course of multiple exchanges, Corsten detailed explicit sexual acts he wished to perform on the fictional child.

He escalated quickly, sending graphic images of his private parts and demanding they be shown to the girl. Even more disturbing, Corsten proposed the minor help him groom other children for future sexual assault—revealing a predatory pattern far beyond a single encounter.

Confident in his plan, Corsten arranged to travel to Laredo with the intent to meet and have sex with the 14-year-old. His trip ended in handcuffs when he arrived on October 9, 2015. He was arrested at the scene and has remained in federal custody ever since.

Upon completion of his 15-year prison term, Corsten will face 20 years of supervised release under strict conditions. These include lifetime Internet restrictions, mandatory GPS monitoring, and prohibitions on contact with minors. He will also be required to register as a sex offender in accordance with federal law.

The investigation was led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), a division of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alfredo De La Rosa prosecuted the case, underscoring the federal government’s aggressive stance against online predators who exploit children. Corsten will be transferred to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility pending availability.