FBI Undercover Operation Leads to Federal Charges Against Three Men Accused of Traveling to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct with Minors

NEW ORLEANS — Federal prosecutors in the Eastern District of Louisiana announced charges against three men following an undercover Federal Bureau of Investigation operation targeting individuals allegedly attempting to engage in illicit sexual conduct with minors after online communications with individuals they believed to be underage females.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana, the operation resulted in charges against RICHARD JACKSON WHITE, 46, of Purvis, Mississippi, NICHOLAS JOHN ENGOLIA, 32, of Slidell, Louisiana, and DUSTIN LEE SEITZ, 40, of Gulfport, Mississippi. The charges were filed between March 27, 2026, and April 28, 2026, following what investigators described as a coordinated undercover operation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Federal authorities stated that all three defendants were initially charged through criminal complaints at the time of their apprehension before formal federal charging documents were filed.

Court records allege that beginning on or about January 28, 2026, and continuing through March 3, 2026, ENGOLIA engaged in online communications with an individual he believed to be a fifteen-year-old female. Prosecutors allege the communications were conducted for the purpose of persuading the purported minor to engage in criminal sexual activity. Investigators further allege that the exchanges culminated with ENGOLIA traveling from Slidell, Louisiana, to Covington, Louisiana, by vehicle to meet the person he believed to be the fifteen-year-old female.

Federal prosecutors additionally allege that during the online exchanges, ENGOLIA attempted to transfer obscene material to the individual he believed to be underage. ENGOLIA has been charged in a two-count indictment with attempted coercion and enticement of a minor under Title 18, United States Code, Section 2422(b), as well as attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor under Title 18, United States Code, Section 1470.

Authorities stated that the coercion and enticement charge carries a mandatory minimum prison sentence of ten years and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment if convicted. The obscene material charge carries a potential maximum sentence of ten years imprisonment.

In a separate filing, prosecutors allege that on or about February 24, 2026, WHITE traveled from Mississippi into Louisiana with the intent to engage in sexual conduct with an individual he believed to be a fifteen-year-old female. WHITE has been charged with travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2423(b).

Federal prosecutors also allege that between March 2, 2026, and March 4, 2026, SEITZ traveled from Gulfport, Mississippi, to Mandeville, Louisiana, by vehicle for the purpose of engaging in sexual conduct with an individual he believed to be a fifteen-year-old female. SEITZ has likewise been charged under Title 18, United States Code, Section 2423(b) for travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.

If convicted, WHITE and SEITZ each face potential prison sentences of up to thirty years. Federal authorities also stated that each defendant faces at least five years of supervised release, financial penalties of up to $250,000, mandatory special assessment fees, and possible sex offender registration requirements.

The investigation reflects the continued use of undercover online operations by federal law enforcement agencies targeting individuals accused of attempting to exploit minors through internet-based communications and arranged in-person meetings. Federal investigators routinely conduct these operations using covert digital identities designed to identify individuals allegedly seeking contact with minors for unlawful purposes.

The prosecutions were announced as part of Project Safe Childhood, a Department of Justice initiative launched in 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation and online predatory activity. The initiative combines federal, state, and local law enforcement resources to identify offenders, investigate internet-based exploitation networks, and support victim identification and recovery efforts tied to crimes involving minors.

U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle credited the Federal Bureau of Investigation for its role in the investigation. Federal prosecutors assigned to the cases include Special Assistant United States Attorney Mary Anne Flippo for the ENGOLIA prosecution, Assistant United States Attorney Tracey Knight for the WHITE prosecution, and Assistant United States Attorney Kathryn McHugh for the SEITZ prosecution.

Federal authorities emphasized that indictments and bills of information are allegations only and that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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