A Tulsa man who broke into three homes, attempted to sexually assault two victims, and later solicited a 16-year old for child pornography, pleaded guilty today in federal court.
”Jesse Moore roamed Tulsa’s neighborhoods and terrorized his victims. He peered inside windows, broke into homes, and targeted at least two victims for sexual assault. Then while awaiting trial, he coerced a minor into sending him sexually explicit photographs and videos,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “This dangerous criminal no longer poses a threat to our community thanks to dedicated work of Tulsa Police Detectives and federal prosecutor Joel-lyn McCormick.”
“The acts this person committed against the citizens of Tulsa are horrific and incomprehensible. Had intervention not occurred, this criminal behavior would have only worsened. I am very proud of the work done by Tulsa Police Officers involved with bringing this predator to justice, and thankful for the efforts of the United States Attorney's Office for prosecuting Moore,” said Tulsa Police Chief Wendell Franklin. “While this arrest will not eliminate the trauma these families endured, I hope that putting this man behind bars provides them with a bit of closure.”
In a blind plea, Jesse Thomas Moore, 19, admitted to the following charges: lewd acts with a child under 16 in Indian Country; three counts of burglary in the first degree in Indian Country; attempted sexual abuse by threat in Indian Country; Coercion and Enticement of a Minor; Attempted Production of Child Pornography; and Attempted Receipt of Child Pornography.
Moore is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 27, 2021.
On May 5, 2020, Moore broke into a home on South Florence Avenue where a child was sleeping. Once inside, Moore entered the victim’s room and started to masturbate. He then tried to get the minor to go to the bathroom with him. When the victim resisted, he slung ejaculate toward the victim then left the residence.
On Nov. 8, 2020, he broke into a home on South Urbana Place with intent to commit a lewd act with a child. Shortly after 7:30 p.m., he entered the backyard of the residence and entered the home through the back door. When the child saw Moore, he screamed. Moore then fled the home.
The mother of the child told investigators Moore had been in her back yard and looked into her windows at other times starting in October 2020.
On Dec. 13, 2020, Moore also broke into a home on South Evanston Avenue. Once inside, he discovered the victim and a male sleeping in a bedroom. He began touching the victim, causing her to awaken. He then threatened the victim by stating, “Get the f*** up and don’t say anything or I’ll f***ing kill you.”
Moore forced the woman to the living room where he attempted to rape her. As Moore covered her mouth, the victim bit his right hand, causing him to let go and flee the scene.
Video obtained by officers showed Moore stepping onto the front porch, unscrewing the porch light then entering the South Evanston residence at 6:36 a.m. Then video showed Moore exiting the residence at 7:18 a.m., after the attempted rape. The crime occurred after multiple Peeping Tom incidents earlier in the week at the same residence by Moore.
The defendant was eventually arrested and charged for the crimes.
While in custody awaiting trial for charges related to the “Peeping Tom” incidents, Moore began accessing the program JailATM by means of a stationary kiosk or portable smart pad in order to video chat or message with a 16-year-old female whom he referred to as his girlfriend.
During conversations that occurred from Aug. 1, 2021, to Aug. 19, 2021, Moore repeatedly pressured the minor for sexually explicit video and images of herself and to engage in sexually explicit behavior while the two video chatted.
The minor attempted to send some pre-recorded videos. Moore received at least one video while others were auto rejected by the system. Moore repeatedly told the minor to figure out how to send the videos differently, like she did before, so they would not be rejected. During one video chat, Moore was able to convince the minor to engage in sexually explicit behavior.
Moore is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation.
The Tulsa Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel-lyn A. McCormick is prosecuting the case.
