DETROIT – Text messages suggest a Michigan border patrol agent tried to have a sexual relationship with a 13-year-old girl, according to authorities.
A U.S. Customs and Border Protection faces charges in two states after allegedly soliciting sex from someone he believed was an underage girl.
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Background: Michigan border patrol agent accused of soliciting sex from undercover officer posing as teen
FBI agents arrested Monroe County resident Harry Marvelle Peless III in July after he reportedly solicited sex and sent obscene material to an undercover officer posing as a 13-year-old girl in New Jersey.
Court documents revealed multiple explicit text exchanges between Peless and the undercover officer, who repeatedly informed him she was 13 years old.
“Thsta ok. We’re just talking,” Peless replied the first time he was told her age.
Peless, who was working as a Customs and Border Protection agent in Michigan at the time, allegedly had been communicating with the undercover officer since September 2024 using multiple messaging applications.
Authorities said Peless acknowledged her age multiple times and admitted he would be in trouble if anyone found out, yet he continued making the conversations sexual.
“I want to put it in u,” read one of the texts.
In addition to reportedly sharing a link to a livestream of him masturbating, he repeatedly shared multiple explicit pictures and videos of himself.
When he reportedly told the undercover officer about a sexual act he wished to perform with them, she again told him she was 13.
“i can’t wait,” replied the undercover officer, “cause it’s teasin the 13 year old girl!!!!!”
This was reportedly followed by Peless expressing a desire to impregnate the 13-year-old.
From Nov. 19-25, 2024, he stopped talking to the undercover officer. He later explained that his wife saw the app he was using on his phone and that he had to delete it because she was upset.
Court documents claim he started sending explicit messages and media again.
In September 2024, he reportedly said he would be willing to travel to meet up with her. The undercover officer told Peless that she could try to get to him, but that it would be tough “since i’m 13.”
He suggested they get a hotel.
In February, he allegedly told the officer, “I gotta figure out a way to get u,” urging her to run away.
“how can i?” the undercover officer replied. “i don’t no how to drive n if i get caught driving at 13 im screwed.”
Law enforcement traced Peless through information from the messaging apps. Some evidence showed conversations occurred while he was on duty as a Border Patrol agent.
Peless was arrested in July while at work. He was charged in Michigan with attempted transfer of obscene material of a minor and in New Jersey with attempted sexual assault, endangering the welfare of a child, distribution of child pornography, obscenity and attempted criminal sexual conduct.