Preston County Man Charged with Federal Child Pornography Offenses

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA - Stephen David Seeger, 45, of Bruceton Mills, West Virginia, has been indicted on charges of coercion and enticement of a minor for sex and child pornography.

United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld announced that Seeger was allegedly communicating with a 13-year-old girl online and persuaded her to produce sexually explicit images and videos. Seeger had contact with another victim, a 15-year-old female, from whom he also requested images and videos.

"This case serves as a reminder to parents to be vigilant in monitoring their children's online activity," said United States Attorney Ihlenfeld. "Tonight is a good night to look at your child's phone and determine if they are in contact with anyone who could cause them harm."

Seeger was arrested in California and will soon be returned to West Virginia to answer to the charges. He faces up to 30 years in federal prison for production of child pornography, and additional prison time for the charges of enticement and possession of child pornography. If convicted, a federal district court judge will determine the appropriate sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberley Crockett is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the West Virginia State Police, and the Preston County Sheriff's Office investigated.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and each defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.