PORTLAND, MAINE – In a disturbing case of child exploitation, Derek Hinkley, a/k/a “Ethan Hinkley,” a 30-year-old man from Lewiston, Maine, formerly of Strong, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison and supervised release for life for his heinous crimes.
According to court documents, Hinkley pleaded guilty on January 30, 2014, to the sexual exploitation of a child. The investigation revealed that on July 17, 2012, Hinkley invited two boys, ages 12 and 15, to spend the night at his apartment, claiming to be 18 years old.
Upon arrival at his apartment, Hinkley used a laptop computer to show them pornography and then, brandishing a knife, forced both to masturbate and play with a sex toy. The next night, Hinkley used a webcam on his computer to capture and disseminate live over the internet on a social media website the image of the older boy masturbating at knifepoint.
The Lewiston Police Department and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations conducted a thorough investigation, seizing the computer and the sex toy from Hinkley’s apartment on July 19, 2012. Forensic analysis of the computer revealed that Hinkley used the social media website at the same time reported by the victims.
On July 20, 2012, Hinkley confessed to committing the crime. The charge required the imposition of a mandatory minimum 15-year term in prison. In imposing sentence, Judge Nancy Torresen said, “You do have a very serious problem and I can’t be comfortable that others will be protected unless I give you a very serious sentence.”
Hinkley’s sentence sends a strong message that child exploitation will not be tolerated. The case highlights the importance of the partnership between law enforcement agencies and the community in protecting our children from such heinous crimes.
Contact: Darcie N. McElwee, Assistant United States Attorney, at (207) 780-3257, for more information on this case.
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Key Facts
- State: Maine
- Category: Sex Crimes|Cybercrime
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
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