Anchorage, Alaska — A federal grand jury in Alaska has indicted an Oregon man on charges of transporting a minor with the intent of engaging in criminal sexual activity. Steven Fox, 59, was taken into custody by the FBI in Portland on Thursday following the indictment.
Court records indicate that Fox relocated from Pendleton, Oregon, to Anchorage, Alaska, in 2019. During that time, he allegedly introduced himself to a family with two minor daughters, claiming to be a long-lost “uncle.” He subsequently took on a caretaking role for the minors.
According to prosecutors, in January 2020, Fox transported the minors from Alaska to Oregon. Allegations state that he began sexually abusing one of the victims, a 9-year-old child, almost immediately after their departure from Alaska.
Fox is facing one count of transporting minors for illegal sexual activity. If convicted, Fox could receive a prison sentence ranging from 10 years to life.
The case was investigated by the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, led by the FBI Anchorage Field Office in collaboration with the Anchorage Police Department. Additional assistance was provided by the Pendleton Police Department and the FBI Portland Field Office.
The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Ivers and Trial Attorney Rachel L. Rothberg from the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), with support from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.
Fox was scheduled to appear before in U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon on Friday afternoon for his initial hearing.
Authorities urge anyone with relevant information about Fox’s alleged activities to reach out to the FBI Anchorage Field Office at (907) 276-4441 or submit a tip anonymously at tips.fbi.gov.
