A Texas man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for attempting to coerce a minor into sex.
Ray Wickliffe Howland, 56, of Arlington, Texas, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
In connection with the guilty plea, on or about June 25, 2015, Howland used facilities and means of interstate and foreign commerce, specifically a computer, an iPad, the Internet and the telephone, to knowingly attempt to persuade, induce, entice, and coerce a minor to engage in sexual activity.
The law provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years, a maximum total sentence of life in prison, a fine of $750,000.00, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Senior United States District Judge Gustave Diamond scheduled the sentencing for October 19, 2016, at 11 a.m. The defendant will serve 10 years in prison, with a $750,000 fine also being considered.
Assistant United States Attorney Jessica Lieber Smolar is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. The Office of the Pennsylvania Attorney General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Howland.
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. The initiative marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.
For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc. The case is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania.
Related Federal Cases
- Ray Wickliffe Howland, Attempted Coercion and Enticement of a Minor, Pennsylvania 2015 · Texas
- Jeffrey Weber, Attempted Enticement of Minor, Pennsylvania 2023 · Louisiana
- Keith Allen Pinkard, Attempted Coercion and Enticement of a Minor, Virginia 2025 · Virginia
- Ryan Peters, Attempted Coercion of a Minor for Sex, Pennsylvania 2021 · Utah
- Shane Kelly Torpey, Attempted Online Enticement of a Minor, Pennsylvania 2021 · Illinois
Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Sex CrimesSex CrimesSex CrimesSex Crimes