Louisiana Man Indicted for Attempted Coercion of a Minor

Raymond T. Knesel, a 60-year-old resident of Abita Springs, Louisiana, has been indicted for attempted coercion and enticement of a minor. The indictment, announced by U.

S. Attorney David I. Courcelle, was issued on October 9, 2026, and charges Knesel with violating Title 18, United States Code, Section 2422(b).

According to the indictment, between September 24 and September 28, 2026, Knesel allegedly persuaded and enticed an individual he believed to be a fifteen-year-old female to engage in illegal and illicit sexual activity. These charges are serious, and if convicted, Knesel faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in prison, with the possibility of a lifetime sentence. Additionally, he could be subjected to at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. Knesel may also be required to register as a sex offender.

U.S. Attorney Courcelle emphasized that the indictment is merely a charge and that Knesel's guilt must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Mary Anne Flippo, who is part of the Public Integrity Unit and Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation Task Force.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) was praised by U. S. Attorney Courcelle for its role in investigating the matter.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. The initiative aims to marshal federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.

Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS). For more information about Project Safe Childhood, individuals are encouraged to visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

The case against Knesel underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement agencies to address and prevent the exploitation of minors. As the legal proceedings continue, Knesel remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.