Three Men Charged in FBI Operation for Traveling to Sexually Exploit Minors

Federal prosecutors in New Orleans charged three men with traveling to engage in illicit sexual conduct with minors following an FBI undercover operation, according to a U.S. Department of Justice press release.

Richard Jackson White, 46, of Purvis, Mississippi; Nicholas John Engolia, 32, of Slidell, Louisiana; and Dustin Lee Seitz, 40, of Gulfport, Mississippi, face charges filed between March 27, 2026, and April 28, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.

The men allegedly responded to online communications from undercover agents pretending to be minors and then traveled to meet them for sexual purposes. U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle announced the charges, noting that each defendant was initially apprehended and charged by criminal complaint.

The operation targeted individuals seeking to exploit minors, resulting in charges against these three defendants. No specific number of potential victims or broader participant counts appear in the release, but the FBI's focus on such stings typically addresses threats to children under 18, as defined by federal child exploitation statutes.

The charges stem from conduct that could involve multiple online platforms, though the release provides no details on the exact methods used in the undercover effort.

Prior to these charges, the men had not faced federal prosecution for this conduct; now, they are formally indicted and subject to federal court proceedings. The shift moves the cases from initial complaints to full indictments, with arraignments and potential trials to follow under standard federal timelines.

No specific trial dates are set in the release, but federal rules require speedy trial proceedings, typically within 70 days of indictment unless waived.

The indictments trigger mandatory court appearances for the defendants, including initial hearings where bail conditions will be determined. Prosecutors must now prepare evidence for trial, potentially including digital records and agent testimonies, while defense attorneys can file motions to suppress evidence or dismiss charges.

If convicted, the men face sentences under federal guidelines for child exploitation offenses, which often include minimum prison terms and lifetime sex offender registration. The cases also activate victim notification protocols under the Crime Victims' Rights Act, ensuring any identified minors or their representatives receive updates on proceedings.

This operation aligns with the FBI's ongoing Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force initiatives, which have led to over 1,000 arrests nationwide in fiscal year 2025, per the agency's annual reports. The Eastern District of Louisiana has handled similar cases in recent years, including a 2024 sting that resulted in 12 indictments for comparable offenses.