A New Sweden man, Dustin Davenport, pleaded guilty on April 17 in U.S. District Court in Bangor to distributing, receiving, and possessing child sexual abuse material.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to address the exploitation of children online. Authorities said that investigators identified Davenport, age 30, as the user of a cloud-based instant messaging account involved in trading images depicting child sexual abuse. A search warrant was executed at his residence where he admitted during an interview that he had been actively trading such material over the internet. Forensic analysis of his cellular telephones revealed multiple images and videos involving child sexual abuse.
Davenport faces a minimum sentence of five years and up to twenty years for distributing and receiving child sexual abuse material. He also faces up to twenty years for possession charges, with each count carrying a possible fine of $250,000 and supervised release terms that could last for life. Sentencing will occur after the U.S. Probation Office completes a presentence investigative report; a federal judge will determine the final sentence based on guidelines and statutory factors.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Penobscot County Sheriffâs Office, and Bangor Police Department.
In 2023, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children received thirty-six million reports related to possession or distribution of such materials across the United States according to their data. Reports can be filed with NCMEC through their website or by calling 1-800-843-5678. Maine residents affected by sexual assault or abuse can access support via a statewide helpline at 1-800-871-7741.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating online child exploitation through collaboration among federal, state, and local agencies. More information about Project Safe Childhood is available here.
The U.S. Attorney for the District of Maine serves as chief federal law enforcement officer for Maine, according to its official website. The office enhances quality of life through law enforcement efforts, prosecutes federal crimes, manages civil matters involving government interests, collects debts owed, covers all areas within Maine, builds alliances with other agencies, operates offices in Portland and Bangor, and collaborates across levels with other law enforcement organizations.
