Montana Man Pleads Guilty After Years Of Messages To Minor

A man from Wyola is facing the possibility of decades in prison after admitting in federal court that he attempted to coerce and entice a minor through sexually explicit messages and requests.

According to Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot, 50-year-old Truman Frank Jefferson Jr. pleaded guilty to one count of attempted coercion and enticement. Federal prosecutors say the case involved years of inappropriate communication with a teenage girl.

Federal Prosecutors Say The Messages Went On For Years

Court documents say the investigation began in June 2024 when law enforcement responded to a trespassing complaint at a home in Lodge Grass involving Jefferson.

During that response, a 16-year-old girl told investigators she had allegedly been sexually harassed by Jefferson for years. She reported receiving inappropriate text messages, photos, and videos from him over an extended period of time.

According to prosecutors, the girl described multiple situations where Jefferson allegedly asked her to come see him and then requested sexual contact.

One Alleged Incident Happened In Bozeman

Investigators say one of the incidents described by the victim happened in Bozeman when she was either 14 or 15 years old.

Court records state that Jefferson allegedly texted the girl, telling her to come outside to his vehicle because he had a present for her. When she approached the vehicle, she reportedly saw that he was exposing himself and allegedly told her to touch him.

Federal investigators later recovered messages between Jefferson and the victim, including conversations found on Jefferson’s own cell phone. Prosecutors say one exchange included a request for oral sex.

Authorities also stated that Jefferson knew the girl was under the age of 18 at the time of the messages.

Sentencing Is Scheduled For September

Jefferson pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters, who will decide the sentence after reviewing federal sentencing guidelines and other factors in the case.

He now faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and could receive up to life behind bars. Prosecutors say he also faces a possible $250,000 fine and supervised release ranging from five years to life.

Sentencing is scheduled for September 29, 2026. Jefferson remains in custody while the case moves forward.

The FBI And BIA Led The Investigation

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelsey Hendricks is prosecuting the case.

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Cases like this are difficult to read, especially in smaller Montana communities where many people know one another personally. For families across the state, it is another reminder of how important it is to keep open conversations going with children and teens about online communication, boundaries, and reporting behavior that makes them uncomfortable.