Former Navy Officer Pleads Guilty To Attempted Coercion Of Minor, Prosecutors Say

CENTRAL ISLIP, NY — A former U.S. Navy officer could be sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty in federal court Tuesday to charges that he had attempted to coerce a minor into engaging in sexual activity, prosecutors said.

The U.S. Attorney’s office said Maryland resident Douglas Engstrom had pleaded guilty to attempted interstate coercion and enticement of a minor in a plea deal that also included an admission from Engstrom that he had possessed and received over 600 photos and videos of child sexual abuse material.

“The defendant, who was a member of the Navy when he committed his crimes, was convicted of preying on someone he believed to be an innocent 13-year-old girl,” United States Attorney Joseph Nocella said. “This prosecution demonstrates that we will use every law enforcement tool available to prosecute and punish to the fullest extent of the law predators, like the defendant, who exploit the most vulnerable among us: children.”

According to prosecutors, Engstrom talked online with someone he believed to be a 13-year-old girl, eventually trying to meet the girl to engage in sexual activity.

“In his communications, Engstrom admitted that he was a 36-year-old man in the Navy and said that he wanted to have oral, anal, and vaginal sex with the girl, including while she was unconscious,” Prosecutors said. “He then agreed to meet the girl in Valley Stream, New York to have sex with her. In reality, this purported 13-year-old girl was an undercover officer.”

Prosecutors said Engstrom traveled from Maryland to New York, booked a hotel room and was arrested Dec. 16, 2023 at the Valley Stream LIRR station. At the time of the arrest, Engstrom was holding a large teddy bear, prosecutors said.

“Instead of honoring his oath to protect this country, former U.S. Navy officer Douglas Engstrom exploited some of our most vulnerable citizens – children – to satisfy his perverted desires,” FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Barnacle said. “The FBI maintains its commitment to hold accountable sexual predators that prey upon children. We will never stop in our pursuit of justice for victims.”

Upon his arrest, police inspected Engstrom’s phone and found the child sexual abuse material, prosecutors said.