Jesse Owen Maurice, Child Exploitation, Pennsylvania 2016

A Cumberland County Man Indicted On Child Exploitation Charges

HARRISBURG – In a disturbing case of online exploitation, 27-year-old Jesse Owen Maurice of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, has been indicted on charges of coercing and enticing a minor to take sexually explicit photographs of herself and send them to him over the internet in November 2016. Maurice is also accused of distributing those sexually explicit photographs.

The two-count indictment charges Maurice with production of child pornography and receipt and distribution of child pornography. The indictment also seeks forfeiture of all electronic equipment used to take those images.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney James T. Clancy is prosecuting the case.

The indictment was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.

Indictments are only allegations, and all persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

The maximum penalty under federal law for the production of child pornography offense is 30 years’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a $250,000 fine. That charge carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years. The receipt and distribution of child pornography charge is punishable by a maximum of 20 years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. That charge carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years.

Maurice is currently awaiting his day in court, and it is unclear at this time what the outcome of the case will be. However, one thing is clear: the safety and well-being of our children is of the utmost importance, and those who seek to exploit and harm them will be brought to justice.