Delaware Man Pleads Guilty After Luring Child on Social Media and Transporting Her Across State Lines
State of DE - A 22-year-old Delaware man has pleaded guilty to transporting a minor across state lines with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. The case is raising serious concerns about child safety and the dangers children face on social media platforms.
Miles Clark, of Sussex County, Delaware, entered his guilty plea, which was accepted by U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika. He now faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison, with a maximum of life imprisonment.
According to court documents, Clark transported a 12-year-old girl from a church near her home in Pennsylvania to his residence in Delaware. Once there, the two engaged in sexual intercourse. Clark knew the victim was a child.
The two had met on Snapchat roughly one week before the incident. Their conversations quickly turned sexual in nature. Court documents state that Clark described in detail the various sex acts he wanted to engage in with the minor and also sent her videos of himself masturbating.
The case was investigated by the FBI's Delaware Violent Crime and Safe Streets Task Force, with assistance from Delaware State Police Troop 4. U.S. Attorney Benjamin L. Wallace and FBI Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul announced the guilty plea.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Claudia L. Pare is prosecuting the case. Sentencing is currently scheduled for August 27, 2026. Federal judges typically impose sentences below the maximum allowed by law, taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other legal factors.
This case is being prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative aimed at fighting the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. The program is led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Department of Justice's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section.
Project Safe Childhood brings together federal, state, and local resources to find, arrest, and prosecute those who exploit children. The program also works to identify and rescue victims. More information about the initiative can be found at justice.gov/psc.
Cases like this serve as a sobering reminder of the dangers that can come with unsupervised access to social media. A predator was able to make contact with a 12-year-old child through a popular app and within just one week, that child was harmed.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to have open conversations with their children about online safety. Knowing who your child is talking to online could make all the difference.
