A Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agent has been taken into custody following allegations of him engaging in inappropriate communication with an individual he believed to be a minor, as per the United States Attorney's Office. Harry Marvelle Peless, III, 51, of Newport, Michigan, was arrested by FBI agents after he allegedly solicited sex and transmitted obscene material to an undercover officer. Peless, a Border Patrol Agent stationed in Michigan, was caught in a sting operation where the officer posed as a 13-year-old girl.
Charged with attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor, Peless' communications with the undercover officer using an online messaging application began in September 2024 and continued almost daily. Announced by United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr., the disturbing details include Peless sending explicit content, coupled with numerous invitations for the minor to flee and engage in sexual activity with him, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office. Under arrest, Peless had logged into the chat account from work, according to evidence discovered during the investigation.
Despite the charges, the criminal complaint against Peless, as mentioned by U.S. Attorney's Office, "is merely a formal charge and is not evidence of guilt." They maintain that "every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty," and the onus is on the government to establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. This case falls under the responsibility of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Customs and Border Protection - Office of Professional Responsibility, and the Department of Homeland Security - Office of Inspector General.
The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eaton Brown. Special Agent in Charge Cheyvoryea Gibson, overseeing the Detroit Division of the FBI, joined Attorney Gorgon in making the announcement.
