Robert Coleman

A Portal man has been sentenced to 18 months with the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation after being found guilty of luring minors by computer.

Robert Jay Coleman, 59, Portal, was found guilty of one count of luring minors by computer-defendant 22 or older, believes victim 15-17, a Class C felony, after a jury trial on June 18. Coleman appeared for his sentencing in North Central District Court on Thursday.

According to court documents, a Ward County Sheriff’s detective was conducting an online undercover operation, posing as a 16 year old, on June 5, 2023, and was contacted by a user profile later determined to be Coleman’s on an online dating website. Coleman and the undercover persona made arrangements to meet at a Minot gas station. The vehicle was located at the gas station, and was determined to be registered to Coleman, whose driver’s license photo matched the image sent to the undercover persona. Coleman was detained after a traffic stop and placed under arrest.

District Court Judge Gary Lee sentenced Coleman to serve five years with the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, with a requirement to serve 18 months with credit for 154 days already served. Lee ordered Coleman to complete five years of supervised probation upon release and to register as a sex offender. Coleman also was assessed $525 in court fines and fees.