Steven Dale Criddle, a former Brazos County juvenile probation officer, has been sentenced to nearly 16 years in federal prison after admitting he drove to Wylie intending to sexually molest an 11-year-old girl. Investigators say he set up the encounter through what he believed was the child's mother on the dark web and was arrested when he showed up. Prosecutors also say child sexual abuse material was found on his cellphone.
According to a Department of Justice release, U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs said Criddle, 51, pleaded guilty to attempted coercion and enticement of a minor and received a 190-month sentence (15 years, 10 months) from U.S. District Judge Jeremy D. Kernodle on July 1. The release notes the FBI investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael A. Anderson handled the prosecution. Federal officials described the case as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative targeting online child sexual exploitation.
How Investigators Say The Trip Unfolded
Per FOX 4, prosecutors say Criddle used the dark web to communicate with someone he believed was the girl's mother and arranged a meeting in Wylie on Sept. 28, 2025. The station reports he drove about three hours from his home in Bryan to Collin County, where law enforcement moved in and arrested him at the meeting spot. FOX 4 notes its reporting is based on details from the federal case filed by the Department of Justice.
Local Ties And Juvenile Services Career
KBTX reports Criddle had worked with Brazos County juvenile services dating back to at least 2015 and resigned shortly after his arrest. The station says he lived in Bryan, Texas, and confirms he was 51 at the time of sentencing. County officials have not released further information about his employment record.
Federal Push Under Project Safe Childhood
Prosecutors highlighted that the case was brought under Project Safe Childhood, the federal program that pulls together local, state and federal resources to track down and prosecute people who exploit children online. The Department of Justice release lists the FBI as the investigating agency and names Anderson as the lead prosecutor on the case.
Criddle will serve his sentence in federal custody and will be subject to any supervised-release terms imposed after he gets out. Authorities have not identified the child involved, citing the need to protect the victim's privacy.
