EUGENE, OREGON —A Vancouver, Washington man pleaded guilty today to sending sexually explicit emails and text messages to an undercover law enforcement officer posing online as a 13-year-old girl, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Scott Erik Asphaug.
Daniel Lee Baldie, 34, pleaded guilty to attempted coercion and enticement of a minor.
According to court documents, in January and February 2020, Baldie sent emails and text messages to a Benton County Sheriff’s Office deputy posing online as a 13-year-old girl. Baldie’s emails included requests for a nude photo and descriptions of sexual acts he could engage in with the child. Baldie also sent the deputy a photo of his genitals. As part of the email and text message exchange, Baldie arranged to meet the purported child and bring her back to his residence in Vancouver for a sexual encounter.
On February 7, 2020, law enforcement officers followed Baldie from his residence to a meeting location in Corvallis where he was arrested. Baldie admitted he intended to meet the child and take her back to his residence as planned.
On February 11, 2020, Baldie was charged by criminal complaint with traveling with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, attempted production of child pornography, and coercion and enticement.
Baldie faces a maximum sentence of life in prison with a 10-year mandatory minimum sentence, a $250,000 fine, and a life term of supervised release. He will be sentenced on July 8, 2021 before U.S. District Court Judge Ann Aiken.
Under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, Baldie will be required to register as a sex offender in any state in which he resides.
This case was investigated by the Benton County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI. It is being prosecuted by Jeffrey Sweet, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
Anyone who has information about the physical or online exploitation of children are encouraged to call the FBI at (503) 224-4181 or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.