Federal Case Reveals How a Billings Man Tried to Exploit a ‘12-Year-Old’ Online

A Billings man with a prior sex offense conviction has been sentenced to 27 years in federal prison after attempting to obtain nude photos from someone he believed was a 12-year-old child.

Steven Dwyane Scott, 51, was sentenced Thursday to 324 months in prison, followed by lifetime supervised release, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana.

Convicted on Federal Charges, Ordered to Pay Financial Penalties

Scott was found guilty in September 2025 on one count of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor and one count of possession of child pornography. U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided over the case. In addition to the prison sentence, Scott was ordered to pay $17,200 in special assessments.

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Case Originated With Undercover Social Media Contact

Court documents show the case began in March 2024 when law enforcement officers, working undercover, contacted Scott on Facebook while posing as a 12-year-old girl. Scott accepted the request and began communicating with the account. The conversations later moved to the messaging app KIK.

Continued Contact Despite Knowing the Child’s Age

Investigators said the communications lasted from March 7 through May 28, 2024. During that time, Scott was informed of the child’s age and even acknowledged that he should not be speaking with her. Despite that, he continued the conversations and repeatedly requested photos, including nude images.

Gift Cards Sent in Attempt to Obtain Images

On May 21, 2024, Scott sent images of a gift card as payment for potential nude photos and provided instructions on how to verify the funds. On May 27, he sent a $25 Amazon gift card for the same purpose. The final communication from Scott was received the following day.

Previous Conviction for Sexual Abuse of a Minor

When law enforcement contacted Scott, he was already a registered sex offender due to a 1997 federal conviction for Sexual Abuse of a Minor in South Dakota.

Earlier Online Contact With Juveniles Uncovered

Investigators also pointed to earlier conduct. In 2018, Scott communicated online with multiple juvenile girls. One disclosure led to a search of his Snapchat account, where investigators found evidence of his interest in minors. Sexually explicit images of another juvenile victim were also discovered during that investigation.

Case Prosecuted With Support From Multiple Agencies

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Zeno Baucus. The investigation involved the FBI, Montana Department of Criminal Investigations, the Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office, and the Townsend, Massachusetts Police Department.

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Prosecution Falls Under Project Safe Childhood

Federal officials said the case was brought under Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide Department of Justice initiative focused on combating the sexual exploitation and abuse of children. The program brings together federal, state, and local agencies to identify victims, stop offenders, and prevent future crimes involving children.