Border Patrol Agent Charged With Attempted Sexual Assault, Endangering Welfare Of A Child

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — A Michigan Border Patrol Agent was arrested after engaging in sexual conversations with an undercover agent whom he believed was a minor, according to the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.

Harry Peless, 51, of Newport, Michigan, was charged in connection with several online communications he made with a law enforcement officer who was posing as a 13-year-old girl.

The investigation was launched in September 2024, and during that time, Peless had sent the undercover cop, believing they were a 13-year-old girl, sexual videos of himself, police said. In addition to engaging in “near-daily” sexual conversations, Peless is also accused of sending the undercover officer an item of child pornography.

Peless is a Border Patrol Agent with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and chatted with the undercover agent while he was at work, according to authorities.

He was arrested on July 25 and charged with attempted sexual assault, endangering the welfare of a child (distribution of child sexual abuse material), endangering the welfare of a child (sexual conduct), obscenity, and attempted criminal sexual conduct.

Peless was also charged with attempted transfer of obscene material of a minor by the U.S. Attorney's Office - Eastern District of Michigan.

This was a joint investigation between the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force of the Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit, the FBI, and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Michigan.