Wood County man indicted for violations against a minor

 WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Steven Lockhart, of Davisville, West Virginia, is facing charges involving a minor, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Lockhart, 56, was indicted on one count of “Attempted Coercion and Enticement of a Minor” and one count of “Attempted Transfer of Obscene Materials to a Minor.” Lockhart is accused of using his phone to entice a minor in Harrison County to engage in sexual activity in April 2020. He is also accused of sending obscene material on the phone to a minor under the age of 16.

Lockhart faces at least 10 years and up to life incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for the coercion count and faces up to 10 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for the obscene material count. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Danae DeMasi-Lemon is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bridgeport Police Department investigated.

An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.