In a concerning case of online misconduct, a Salem, Oregon, man has been handed a sentence exceeding a decade in federal lockup for his attempts to coerce and entice minors through digital communication channels. Gary Wade Ronning, 40, was given a 130-month prison term followed by ten years of supervised release, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office. The investigation, which uncovered Ronning's illicit activities, involved law enforcement officers posing as minors.
Documents from the court reveal that Ronning began his predatory communications in March 2023 using Facebook Messenger to reach out to what he believed to be a 15-year-old girl, actually a cover identity for an undercover officer. Over several months, the man engaged in sexually explicit conversations, sharing and requesting inappropriate material, and even planned a meeting to engage in sexual acts with a minor — a meeting Ronning ultimately did not attend. According to a statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office, this was part of a broader operation focusing on the online enticement of children.
Ronning's communications didn’t end there; between October and November of 2023, he connected with two more undercover officers, posing as children aged 13 and 15. His pattern of behavior persisted, as he sent more sexually explicit images and videos of himself and attempted to arrange further illegal rendezvous. Moreover, Ronning was conscious of the illegality of his actions, frequently instructing the purported minors to keep quiet about their conversations.
On January 18, 2024, a five-count indictment was brought against Ronning by a federal grand jury in Eugene. He was charged with grave offenses, including attempted coercion and enticement of a minor, trying to use a minor to produce sexually explicit conduct visually, and attempting to transfer obscene material to a minor. On January 22, 2025, he pleaded guilty to attempted coercion and enticement of a minor. His case was a joint investigation effort by the FBI and Redmond Police Department, with the Salem Police Department assisting, and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William M. McLaren.
The FBI and local law enforcement remain vigilant in their efforts to capture and prosecute individuals targeting children online. The public is urged to report any suspicions or knowledge about child exploitation by calling the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or by submitting tips online. The FBI's Child Exploitation Task Force works closely in coordination with various agencies to combat the sexual exploitation of minors and provide necessary support to the victims of such heinous crimes.
