A Tulsa man was sentenced to life in prison for crimes involving the attempted coercion and enticement of a minor, as well as possession and distribution of child pornography. U.S. District Judge Sara E. Hill handed down the sentence to Jeffry Alan Clain, 59, who will also be subject to lifetime supervised release and must register as a sex offender if released.
“Clain is every parent’s worst nightmare. He not only tried to meet a child to engage in sex but also had hundreds of devices containing child sexual abuse material,” said U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “This sentence sends a strong message to criminals looking to exploit children. We will be relentless and find anyone looking to harm our children.”
James Carmany, Assistant Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Dallas – Oklahoma Division, stated: “Our agents at HSI collaborate with our law enforcement partners daily to ensure those involved in predatory acts against children are brought to justice. With the life sentence imposed on this defendant, it is assured that he will never harm an innocent child again.”
According to court records, Clain began communicating online in July 2024 with someone he believed was a 14-year-old boy. After learning the boy’s age, Clain sent nude photos and described sexual acts he intended to perform before arranging an in-person meeting at the boy’s home, where law enforcement arrested him.
Clain admitted during questioning that he knew his actions were wrong and acknowledged possessing child pornography on his cellphone. He also confessed to having previously engaged in sexual activity with another 14-year-old boy when he was an adult.
A search of Clain’s residence led authorities to more than 170 electronic devices containing over 12,000 images depicting child sexual abuse involving minors ranging from infants to teenagers. Investigators found evidence from as far back as 2016 showing Clain performing sexual acts on another minor and sharing links to illegal material.
The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations and the Tulsa Police Department under Operation Clean Sweep II—a joint effort including the Tornado Alley Child Exploitation and Trafficking Task Force focused on prosecuting offenders within the Northern District of Oklahoma.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Flesher prosecuted the case.
The prosecution falls under Project Safe Childhood, a national initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 that brings together federal, state, and local resources against online exploitation of children while seeking out victims for rescue efforts. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Clain remains in custody pending transfer to federal prison.
