Harold Steven Moore, Sexual Abuse of a Minor and Coercion and Enticement of a Minor, Oklahoma 2023

Former Teacher Sentenced for Sex Crimes in Oklahoma

A former teacher in South Coffeyville, Oklahoma has been sentenced to prison for having sexual relationships with minor children. Harold Steven Moore, 41, of Kansas City, was sentenced to 180 months imprisonment, followed by 12 years of supervised release.

Moore was convicted of two counts of Sexual Abuse of a Minor in Indian Country and Coercion and Enticement of a Minor in Indian Country. The crimes took place between 2006 and 2007, when Moore was a teacher and coach at a South Coffeyville middle school. He had sexual relationships with two separate minor children and also enticed a third minor to engage in sexual activities while he was her coach.

Moore will also be required to register as a sex offender upon his release. U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson stated that children trust their teachers and that Moore betrayed that trust. Johnson commended the courageous victims who came forward to report the abuse.

Moore is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation and will remain in custody pending transfer to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons. The FBI, Cherokee Nation Marshal Service, and Montgomery County Sheriff's Office in Kansas investigated the case, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Dunn prosecuting the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section lead PSC, which marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims.

Moore's sentencing is a significant blow to child predators and sends a clear message that sex crimes against minors will not be tolerated. The victims in this case have shown remarkable courage in coming forward, and their bravery will help bring justice to those who have been harmed.

The exact date of sentencing was not specified in the press release, but it is clear that Moore will spend many years behind bars for his crimes. The full extent of his sentence will be served at the U.S. Bureau of Prisons.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndok/pr/former-teacher-sentenced-sexual-abuse-and-enticement-minors