MEDFORD, Ore. (Nov. 10, 2026) — A 28-year-old North Carolina man has pleaded guilty to attempting to coerce and entice a minor in Medford into engaging in unlawful sexual activity, federal prosecutors announced.
Sage Austin Miller, of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, pleaded guilty to one count of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor in federal court, U.S. Attorney Scott Bradford announced.
According to court documents, Miller used Snapchat on Sept. 23 and 24, 2024, to communicate with someone he believed was a 16-year-old girl living in Medford.
During the online conversations, Miller attempted to persuade the purported minor to meet him for sexual activity. He later traveled to and arrived at a predetermined meeting location.
As part of his plea agreement, Miller admitted to using an internet-connected cellular phone to communicate with someone he believed was under 18. He also acknowledged that his actions constituted a substantial step toward committing the offense.
Prosecutors said the planned conduct would have violated Oregon’s first-degree online sexual corruption of a child statute had the encounter occurred.
Attempted coercion and enticement of a minor carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Miller also faces a potential fine of up to $250,000 and five years to life of supervised release.
Under the terms of his plea agreement, Miller agreed to forfeit several electronic devices allegedly used to facilitate the offense, including two Apple iPhones and an Apple iPad.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Judith R. Harper for the District of Oregon.
Miller’s sentencing date was not included in the announcement.
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