East Texas man sentenced to 10 years in prison for attempting to entice a child

BEAUMONT, Texas — An east Texas man was sentenced Tuesday to 10 years in prison for coercing and enticing a child, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales, Eastern District of Texas.

This investigation was conducted by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Beaumont Police Department.

Raymond Edward Russ Jr., 47, of Kountze, Texas, was sentenced June 2 by U.S. District Judge Thad Heartfield to 120 months in federal prison for coercion and enticement involving the sexual exploitation of a child. Russ was indicted by a federal grand jury June 24, 2014; he pleaded guilty to the charges Oct. 17.

According to court information, on May 2, 2014, law enforcement officers became aware of a Craigslist ad posted by a person identified as Russ seeking a young female for sexual activity.  An undercover officer posing as a 13-year-old girl named Ashley contacted Russ and began corresponding online.  Over the next 20 days, Russ and “Ashley” engaged in email conversations about “Ashley’s” sexual experiences and that she was only 13.  Russ also provided a photo of himself to Ashley.  On May 20, 2014, Russ began aggressively pursuing Ashley and attempting to entice her to meet for sexual activity.  Russ arranged to pick up Ashley from an apartment complex on Folsom in Beaumont.  Russ arrived at the apartment complex and was detained. 

“The global nature of the Internet has made our children accessible to virtually anyone, anywhere, and at any time with just the click of a mouse,” said Brian M. Moskowitz, special agent in charge of HSI Houston. “This case highlights the role law enforcement plays in helping keep our kids safe from predators.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Englade, Eastern District of Texas, prosecuted this case.

This investigation was conducted under HSI’s Operation Predator, an international initiative to protect children from sexual predators. Since the launch of Operation Predator in 2003, HSI has arrested more than 10,000 individuals for crimes against children, including the production and distribution of online child pornography, traveling overseas for sex with minors, and sex trafficking of children. In fiscal year 2014, more than 2,300 individuals were arrested by HSI special agents under this initiative and more than 1,000 victims identified or rescued.

HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free Tip Line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators. From outside the U.S. and Canada, callers should dial 802-872-6199. Hearing impaired users can call TTY 802-872-6196. Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, via its toll-free 24-hour hotline, 1-800-THE-LOST.

For additional information about wanted suspected child predators, download HSI’s Operation Predator smartphone app or visit the online suspect alerts page.

HSI is a founding member and current chair of the Virtual Global Taskforce, an international alliance of law enforcement agencies and private industry sector partners working together to prevent and deter online child sexual abuse.