LEXINGTON, Ky. – A chilling case of internet predators targeting minors has culminated in a 292-month sentence for Steven Randall Neal, 37, from Irvine, Kentucky. The Irvine native, sentenced by U.S. District Judge Danny Reeves on Monday, faced severe punishment for his despicable attempt to entice a minor into unlawful sexual activity online.
According to court documents, Neal, who had known the victim through family connections, launched an aggressive campaign of grooming and exploitation via Facebook Messenger in 2021. The defendant’s online interactions with the underage victim were nothing short of sinister, as he repeatedly attempted to coerce the minor into sending explicit photographs and engaging in sexual activity.
The court heard about Neal’s hands-on abuse on two separate occasions, where he used Facebook Messenger to manipulate the minor into his presence for continued sexual contact. The severity of his actions was compounded by his admission to the judge that these offenses were not isolated incidents.
Under federal law, Neal will serve 85 percent of his sentence before being released back into society under the watchful eye of the U.S. Probation Office for life. This sentence sends a stark message about the consequences faced by those who exploit children online.
The investigation and prosecution were a collaborative effort between the FBI, Kentucky Attorney General’s Office, and Madison County Sheriff’s Office, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Melton representing the United States Attorney’s Office. This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse.
For more information on Project Safe Childhood, visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov. – END –
Related Federal Cases
- Kentucky Predator Sentenced for Online Child Exploitation · North Carolina
- Knott Co. Man Bags Four Life Sentences for Child Sex, Drug Smuggling · Kentucky
- Flushing Trio Indicted in Interstate Sex Trafficking Ring · Pennsylvania
- Louisville Predator Sentenced to 32 Years for Child Porn · Kentucky
- Louisville Predator Shaun Dickson Sentenced to 32 Years for Child Pornography · Kentucky
Key Facts
- State: Kentucky
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes|Cybercrime
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News