A Hanson man has pleaded guilty to child sexual exploitation charges in U.S. District Court in Boston. Mark L. Leach, 49, admitted to one count of coercion and enticement of a minor child.
Leach was arrested and charged in April 2016. U.S. District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor scheduled sentencing for May 25, 2017. The charges stem from Leach sending sexually explicit messages to two pre-teen girls via text, live video, and audio using the Skype screen name “funtimehockey”.
In 2016, law enforcement officers discovered that Leach had sent explicit messages to the two girls, one of whom occasionally babysat for Leach’s daughter. The victims reported that Leach asked them to send naked and sexually explicit pictures of themselves. Leach also sent naked and sexually explicit pictures of himself to the victims during these sessions.
Leach admitted to setting up the Skype account to communicate with the minor victims and others, frequently requesting that they expose themselves to him. He also admitted to exposing himself and masturbating in front of the victims when they babysat for his daughter.
The charging statute provides for a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years and no greater than lifetime in prison, a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties.
Acting U.S. Attorney William D. Weinreb, along with other law enforcement officials, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth G. Shine of Weinreb’s Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case. The Waltham Police Department assisted with the investigation, which was led by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Massachusetts State Police, Hanson Police, and Whitman Police.
The guilty plea is a significant step in bringing Leach to justice for his heinous crimes. The case highlights the importance of law enforcement collaboration and the need for vigilance in protecting children from exploitation. As Leach awaits sentencing, the community can take some solace in knowing that he will face significant penalties for his actions.
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Key Facts
- State: Massachusetts
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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