PHILADELPHIA - A federal jury, yesterday, returned guilty verdicts, on all three counts, against Christopher Steele, a/k/a/ “Mike Dozor," 34, of Newark, DE, in a child exploitation case. Steele was indicted on March 6, 2014 for use of an interstate commerce facility to entice a minor to engage in sexual conduct, interstate travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor, and receipt of child pornography. He faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison with a maximum sentence of life. A sentencing date is not yet scheduled.
Steele found his victim, Minor #1, through a social networking cell phone application. He used that media to entice the victim into having sex. He then traveled from Delaware to Pennsylvania for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct with that minor. Steele also received a visual depiction showing a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct and participated in a scheme to sexually exploit minor victims.
“Child sexual exploitation crimes are among HSI’s highest priorities," said John P. Kelleghan, special agent in charge of HSI Philadelphia. “We will continue to relentlessly pursue predators who sexually abuse children, whether that abuse is physical in nature or if it's accomplished by exploiting their images."
The case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, and the Limerick Township Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Rotella.
The public is encouraged to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity by calling 1-866-DHS-2-ICE. 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.
UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICTof PENNSYLVANIA
Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
PATTY HARTMAN, Media Contact, 215-861-8525
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
