Bruce Froman, 41, of Meridian, pleaded guilty Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Boise to attempted coercion and enticement, after investigators say he agreed to engage in sexual contact with a 15-year-old girl.
In March of this year, detectives with the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force posted an advertisement on Craigslist stating a mother and daughter were looking for a “mature man for play.” Froman responded to the advertisement, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
An ICAC detective represented himself to be a 35-year-old woman with a 15-year-old daughter “looking for a respectful man to come and teach her some stuff.”
Froman stated his desire to have sexual contact with the 15-year-old, the release said. “Froman made numerous statements to the purported mother and the 15-year-old daughter attempting to persuade, induce, and entice the 15-year-old to engage in sexual contact,” it stated.
“Froman agreed to come to the residence of the purported 15-year-old to engage in sexual contact with her. When he arrived at the residence, detectives arrested him. They seized a cell phone from his vehicle, and later discovered the text messages between Froman and the purported mother and daughter. Froman admitted he ‘gave into his deviant thoughts,’ and admitted sending messages indicating his intent to engage in sexual contact with a 15-year-old,” the release explained.
As part of his plea, Froman also agreed to forfeit the cell phone used in the commission of the charged offense.
Sentencing is set for August 14, 2018, before Senior U.S. District Judge Edward Lodge at the federal courthouse in Boise.
Attempted coercion and enticement is punishable by not less than ten years and up to life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than five years and up to life, and a $5,100 special assessment.
