Steven James McNinch, Sexual Exploitation of Children, Oklahoma 2023

Okemah Man Pleads Guilty to Sexual Exploitation of Children

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – Steven James McNinch, age 35, of Okemah, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to Sexual Exploitation of Children, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2251(a), punishable by not less than 15 years’ imprisonment followed by a term of supervised release of up to life, up to a $250,000.00 fine, or both.

The Indictment alleged that on or about August 6, 2017, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma and elsewhere, the defendant employed, used, persuaded, induced, enticed, and coerced a person under the age of eighteen years to engage in sexually explicit conduct, as that term is defined in Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2256(2)(A)-(B), for the purpose of producing any visual depiction of such conduct, and such visual depiction was produced using materials that have been mailed, shipped, and transported in interstate and foreign commerce.

The charges arose from an investigation by the Okmulgee County Sheriff’s Office, the Okmulgee County Department of Human Services, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The Honorable Steven P. Shreder, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report.

Assistant United States Attorney Edward Snow represented the United States.

McNinch, a resident of Okemah, faces a significant sentence if convicted, with a minimum of 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.00. The case is a reminder of the importance of protecting children from exploitation and abuse.

The investigation and prosecution of child sex crimes are a top priority for law enforcement agencies across the country. The guilty plea of Steven James McNinch serves as a warning to those who would seek to exploit and harm children.