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Maine Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Penobscot County Child Exploitation Case
BANGOR — A Penobscot County man will spend the next 25 years in federal prison for producing child sexual abuse material and traveling across state lines to engage in illicit conduct involving a minor, federal prosecutors announced Thursday.
The sentencing, handed down in U.S. District Court in Bangor, closes a case that began with an investigation by the FBI's Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. According to court records and statements from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Maine, the defendant lured a young victim online before arranging to meet the minor for sexual purposes.
Prosecutors said the investigation spanned multiple jurisdictions and involved coordination between federal agents and local law enforcement. Digital evidence recovered from the defendant's devices confirmed his communications with the victim, and forensic analysis corroborated the production of explicit images, according to the criminal complaint filed in the case.
"The exploitation of children is among the most devastating crimes we encounter, and this sentence reflects the gravity of the defendant's actions and the harm inflicted on his victim," said Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Maine. "We are committed to working with our law enforcement partners to identify predators, hold them accountable, and provide justice for victims."
The defendant had pleaded guilty earlier this year to one count of production of child sexual abuse material and one count of travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. Both charges carry mandatory minimum sentences, and federal sentencing guidelines were a factor in the court's decision.
Agents with the FBI's Portland field office, which oversees operations in much of Maine, led the investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys from the District of Maine's Criminal Division.
Federal officials are urging anyone with information about suspected child exploitation to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit tips online at tips.fbi.gov. Reports can also be made to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children CyberTipline at 1-800-843-5678.
The defendant's name is being withheld in this report to protect the identity of the victim.
This is a developing story. Maine News Now will update with additional details as they become available.
