FBI seeking additional information after Pendleton man arrested, indicted for transporting child for sexual purposes

A former Pendleton resident, Steven Fox, was arrested by the FBI in Portland following an indictment by a federal grand jury in Alaska for transporting a minor for sexual purposes. Fox, 59, had relocated to Anchorage in 2019, introducing himself as a "long-lost uncle" to a family with two young daughters, and subsequently took on a caregiving role for them.

Prosecutors allege that in January 2020, Fox transported the minors from Alaska to Oregon, where he began sexually abusing one of the girls, who was just 9 years old. This abuse allegedly commenced almost immediately after they left Alaska.

The federal grand jury indictment charges Fox with transporting a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. He made his initial court appearance on Friday, and if convicted, he faces a lengthy prison sentence of 10 years to life.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Ivers and trial attorney Rachel L. Rothberg from the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, with support from the U.S. Attorney's Office District of Oregon. The FBI’s offices in Portland and Anchorage, along with the Pendleton Police Department, played key roles in the investigation.

While the announcement of charges has been made, the Oregon U.S. Attorney's Office emphasizes that an indictment is merely an accusation, and all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. For victims of sexual assault, resources and support services are available through organizations such as the Sexual Assault Resource Center and the RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline.