An Irvine, Kentucky man has been sentenced to over 24 years in federal prison for attempting to entice a minor into unlawful sexual activity online. Steven Randall Neal, 37, received a sentence of 292 months from U.S. District Judge Danny Reeves.
Court documents show that in 2021, Neal used Facebook Messenger to communicate with the minor victim, whom he knew through their family. Neal tried to persuade the victim to send sexually explicit images and attempted to entice the minor into further explicit activities. He also admitted to two instances of direct sexual abuse and using Facebook Messenger to arrange meetings for continued contact.
Neal will be required by federal law to serve at least 85 percent of his sentence before being eligible for release. After completing his prison term, he will be under lifetime supervision by the U.S. Probation Office.
The case was investigated by the FBI, Kentucky Attorney General’s Office, and Madison County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Melton prosecuted the case on behalf of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Paul McCaffrey, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Olivia Olson, Special Agent in Charge at the FBI Louisville Field Office; Russell Coleman, Kentucky Attorney General; and Sheriff Mike Coyle of Madison County jointly announced the sentencing.
“This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood,” according to information from the Department of Justice initiative started in 2006 that focuses on combating child sexual exploitation and abuse by coordinating efforts among federal, state, and local agencies.
More details about Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
