Two Oregon Men Sentenced in Jackson County Court for Child Sex Crimes

Medford, Oregon- Two men have been sentenced in Jackson County Circuit Court this week in separate cases involving child sexual exploitation following investigations by the Southern Oregon Child Exploitation Team (SOCET), a regional interagency task force.

On July 14, 2025, Steven Newstrom, 66, of Redmond, was sentenced to 22 months in prison after being convicted of one count of Online Sexual Corruption of a Child in the First Degree. The charge stemmed from a SOCET investigation launched in January 2024, during which Newstrom engaged in sexually explicit online communications with an undercover Jackson County Sheriff’s Office detective posing as a 15-year-old girl.

Prosecutors said Newstrom initiated contact in early January 2024 and, over several weeks, sent repeated sexually explicit messages despite being informed of the girl’s age. In March 2024, Newstrom arranged to meet the minor in Redmond, believing she was visiting for a volleyball tournament. He offered to attend one of her games, writing, “If you tell me where and when I will come see you, but we won’t let anyone know.” Law enforcement officers instead set up a meeting in a nearby Starbucks parking lot, where Newstrom was arrested upon arrival. Forensic analysis of his phone confirmed he had sent the messages.

At a contested sentencing hearing, District Attorney Patrick Green sought the maximum sentence allowable under Oregon guidelines—22 months in prison. The defense requested a probationary sentence. Judge Christine Herbert sided with prosecutors, also ordering three years of post-prison supervision and that Newstrom register as a sex offender.

In a separate case, Mark Harding, 39, was sentenced on July 17, 2025, for five counts of Encouraging Child Sexual Abuse in the First Degree. Harding was arrested following a March 2022 tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) regarding verified child exploitation material detected on an online account.

Investigators linked the material to Harding and later executed a search warrant at his residence. Authorities recovered approximately 800 images and videos of child pornography, as well as evidence he had been sharing the material with others online.

At Harding’s sentencing hearing, Chief Deputy District Attorney Alyssa Claseman argued for a prison term, citing the severity and quantity of the material. The defense countered with a request for probation, highlighting Harding’s remorse and participation in treatment since his arrest.

Judge Paul Moser sentenced Harding to three years of supervised probation, with the requirement that he register as a sex offender. The court noted that a prison sentence will be imposed if Harding violates the terms of his probation.

According to NCMEC, child sexual abuse material (CSAM) refers to any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving minors. The organization emphasizes that such material not only documents abuse but also causes ongoing harm to victims each time it is viewed or shared online. A recent survey by NCMEC found that 67% of CSAM survivors experience ongoing trauma due to the continued circulation of their abuse imagery.

Both cases were the result of ongoing SOCET operations, which bring together resources from multiple agencies to combat the exploitation of children in Southern Oregon.