Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr., U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan | Department of Justice
A former Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agent has pleaded guilty to receiving child pornography, according to an announcement from United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr. The case involves Harry Marvelle Peless, III, 51, of Newport, Michigan.
Jennifer Runyan, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), joined Gorgon in making the announcement.
Peless was charged with one count of receipt of child pornography. This offense carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and could result in up to 20 years in prison, as well as a fine that may reach $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for June 1 at 9 a.m.
According to court records, law enforcement began investigating Peless after he sent sexual messages to an undercover officer who was posing as a minor. Communication between Peless and the undercover officer started in September 2024 and became almost daily. At the time these offenses occurred, Peless was working as a Marine Border Protection Agent at the Gibraltar CBP station in Michigan. After charges were filed against him, CBP placed Peless on unpaid administrative leave.
Investigators found evidence that Peless received child pornography over the internet and that he accessed his chat account used for communication with the undercover officer while at work at the Gibraltar CBP station.
The FBI led the investigation into this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eaton Brown is prosecuting.
"There are no direct quotations provided in this press release."
