Vinita Man Convicted for Attempting to Sexually Entice a Minor

A Vinita man was convicted in federal court for attempting to sexually entice an individual he believed to be a 14-year-old boy.

“John Flechs attempted to groom a child for sexual abuse via social media, but instead, was messaging an undercover officer with the Rogers County Sheriff’s Office,” said U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “Law Enforcement’s online undercover work is vital to unmasking predators who may have already reached out to a child or plan to do so in the future. Because of his conduct, Flechs was convicted of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor.”

At trial, federal prosecutors argued that John William Thomas Flechs, 37, attempted to persuade, induce, entice, or coerce the “teenager” through common grooming tactics such as flattery, joking, and the introduction of sexual topics, that escalated over several days of messaging. 

Starting on Jan. 15, 2021, Flechs initiated a conversation with the undercover officer. In Kik messages, Flechs complimented the “teenager” and asked him to send photographs on three occasions. Flechs further described sexual encounters he had with male relatives, introduced graphic sexual topics that would allude to sexual acts on the boy, discussed the boy’s penis size, and asked if he had ever had anal sex. He then suggested they meet.

Still posing as the 14-year-old boy, the undercover agreed to meet Flechs at a skate park. Flechs was taken into custody when he arrived at the park.

The Rogers County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Julie A. Childress and Edward Snow are prosecuting the case.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identity and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.