Great Lakes Wire

Today, FBI agents arrested a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agent in Detroit after he allegedly solicited sex from an undercover officer posing as a 13-year-old girl online. This was announced by United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr.

Special Agent in Charge Cheyvoryea Gibson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Detroit Division joined Gorgon in making the announcement.

The individual arrested is Harry Marvelle Peless, III, aged 51, from Newport, Michigan. Peless is employed as a Border Patrol Agent in Michigan and began communicating with the undercover officer in September 2024 using an online messaging application.

According to the criminal complaint, Peless engaged in near-daily online conversations with the undercover officer. During these interactions, he allegedly sent obscene material and made multiple requests for the officer to run away with him and engage in sexual activities. Evidence indicates that Peless accessed the chat account used for communication while at work.

It is important to note that a criminal complaint is merely a formal charge and not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt by the government.

The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Customs and Border Patrol - Office of Professional Responsibility, and Department of Homeland Security - Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eaton Brown is prosecuting the case.