Arizona Man Charged with Attempted Child Enticement in Missoula

MISSOULA – The grimy streets of Missoula witnessed an arraignment today as 71-year-old Manuel Flores faced charges for attempted coercion and enticement of a minor. This disturbing case highlights the lengths some individuals will go to prey on innocent children.

Flores, with ties to both Arizona and Missoula, pleaded not guilty to the indictment. If convicted, he faces a life sentence, a $250,000 fine, and supervised release. The arraignment was presided over by U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto, who ordered Flores detained pending further proceedings.

The indictment alleges that between June 2024 and August 17, 2025, Flores used the internet and his cellular phone to entice a minor into sexual activity. This interstate crime is in clear violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2422(b), according to federal prosecutors.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Lowney is leading the prosecution against Flores. The investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Montana Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, along with the Missoula County Sheriff’s Office.

The case remains an open investigation. Anyone with information about Flores or similar crimes can contact the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office at (801) 579-1400 or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.

For more information on this harrowing case, you can monitor the U.S. District Court Calendar and access documents through PACER. Visit http://www.pacer.gov/register.html to set up an account and https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl for the District Court’s calendar.

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