Ross man gets 10 years in federal prison for soliciting sex from agent posing as a minor

A Ross man accused in 2019 of soliciting sex from an undercover agent posing as a teenager has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison.

Thomas Perry Stultz, 38, also was ordered to serve 10 years of supervised release for his conviction on a charge of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity. The sentence was imposed by Senior United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab.

According to the affidavit filed to support the charge, Stultz used the app Grindr and his cellphone to persuade the agent, posing as a 14-year-old boy, to engage in sexual activity between Feb. 6 until April 5.

Stultz knew the agent was 14 when he engaged in sexually explicit conversations with him and requested to meet him, according to the affidavit. He allegedly replied “nice” when the agent told Stultz his age.

Stultz sent the agent sexually explicit pictures of himself and asked the agent to send pictures back. The agent sent Stultz pictures of other officers when they were 14, which Stultz expressed appreciation for, the affidavit said.

On April 5, Stultz and the agent made plans to meet in person at the T stop at the North Shore next to Heinz Field.

As Stultz made his way to the meeting point, he sent a text to the agent, “I’m also a little nervous being that your so young LOL,” the affidavit said.

The case was part of the government’s Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the U.S. Department of Justice to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Heidi M. Grogan prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.