A federal jury recently convicted an Oklahoma man for engaging in illegal sexual behavior with three minors Sept. 22.

Garrin Michael Thompson, 48, of Catoosa, was charged and convicted of coercion and enticement of a minor, aggravated sexual abuse of a child under 12 in an Indian community, as well as transportation of a minor with the purpose of engaging in criminal sexual behavior, according to a Department of Justice news release. During the course of the trial, a fourth victim came forward to testify.

“For more than 20 years, Garrin Thompson repeatedly preyed on children," U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson said in the release. "This week, four victims testified in federal court, exposing his egregious crimes. I am thankful they found the courage to come forward to stop him from victimizing another child."

In addition, court documents show that in March 2022, Thompson traveled with a 10-year-old girl from Catoosa to Tyler, Texas, where he sexually abused her in a motel, the release reported. Thompson ordered the young girl, who was watching a sporting event at the time, to keep quiet about the incident.

After returning to Catoosa, the young girl informed her friends and family about the abuse, according to the release. Two individuals phoned the police April 14 to report the child's claims.

The release reported Thompson was arrested by the Catoosa Police Department as he was leaving a hotel with a passport and digital media storage devices. Agents discovered searches for recordings involving youngsters in incest and other sex crimes on these devices. They also found Thompson installed concealed video cameras in at least two residences, allowing him to photograph many of the victims and others who were naked.

“I also want to thank the entire prosecution team for their persistence in this case and commitment to justice," Johnson said in the release. "Law enforcement and prosecutors in northeastern Oklahoma will continue our relentless pursuit to hold accountable perpetrators of child sexual abuse.”