Tulsa Man Pleads Guilty To Soliciting Sex With A Minor On The Internet

NewsOn6.com

TULSA, OK -- A Tulsa man, who traveled to Missouri and tried to entice a 13-year-old girl to have sex with him, pleaded guilty in federal court in Missouri on Wednesday.

The feds say 29-year-old Robert Graef engaged in online chats with a person he believed was a 13-year-old girl, but who in fact was an undercover officer with the Jasper County Sheriff's Department.

Graef arranged to meet the girl at a crypt in a Missouri cemetery on April 17, 2009.

5/15/2009 Related story: Feds Indict Tulsa Man Over Internet Sex

Graef admitted in federal court in Springfield, Missouri, that he used the Internet to attempt to entice a minor to engage in illicit sexual activity.

The Tulsa man was arrested when he entered the cemetery and drove to the crypt. At the time of his arrest, Graef had a pistol holster and a .40-caliber magazine in his pocket. In the center console of his car, arresting officers discovered a loaded .40-caliber Glock pistol with a laser sight and another ammunition magazine.

Officers also found the following items in Graef's vehicle: duct tape, black plastic zip ties fashioned into handcuffs, handcuffs, two Glock .40-caliber magazines each loaded with 13 rounds of ammunition, and 50 rounds of .45-caliber ammunition.

"This case reveals the disturbing truth that some adults will go to great lengths to sexually exploit minors," said Gilbert Trill, assistant special agent-in-charge of the ICE Office of Investigations in Kansas City.

"All children have an absolute right to grow up free from the fear of sexual exploitation. Identifying and investigating those who victimize children is one of ICE's most important responsibilities."

Under federal statutes, Graef is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison without parole, and a maximum sentence of life in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $500,000.