Baltimore Predator Ashe Gets 7+ Years for Child Porn ‘Menu’

BALTIMORE, MD – Eric Donovan Ashe, 24, of Baltimore, Maryland, will spend the next 85 months in federal prison after being sentenced by U.S. District Judge Ellen L. Hollander for the distribution of child pornography. The sentence, handed down today, also includes 15 years of supervised release and mandatory registration as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA). The case, spearheaded by U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron and FBI Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Sobocinski, exposes a chilling scheme of online exploitation.

From 2017 to September 2019, Ashe didn’t just possess illegal material; he actively created and peddled it. Posing as multiple minor girls online, he built a disturbing business selling purported self-made pornography to a network of buyers, raking in over $24,000 in gift cards. But the depravity didn’t stop there. Ashe’s digital footprint revealed a five-year history of searching for and distributing child pornography, indicating a long-term obsession with exploiting vulnerable victims.

The investigation uncovered a particularly disturbing case involving “Minor Victim 1,” a 13-year-old girl whose identity Ashe brazenly stole. He created a fake social media account in her likeness, using images lifted directly from her genuine profile, and then used this fraudulent persona to solicit explicit content from men online. On September 27, 2017, Ashe, while impersonating Victim 1, sent a chilling “menu” to potential buyers, detailing various images and sex acts available in exchange for gift cards. One message offered “2 nude [and] 2 masturbation video” for a mere $100. The sheer callousness of turning a child’s identity into a price list is sickening.

The financial trail painted a clear picture of Ashe’s operation. Between July 2017 and December 2018, he cashed in over $24,000 in gift cards, spending at least $17,000 on electronics, restaurant gift cards, and clothing. All the purchased goods were delivered to his Baltimore address. Further investigation revealed two additional fictitious profiles used to portray minor females, including a 1 minute and 41 second video depicting a prepubescent girl engaged in sexual acts.

A September 11, 2019, search of Ashe’s residence yielded three devices containing over 500 videos and 250 images of child pornography, including depictions of prepubescent minors. Forensic analysis confirmed his long-standing obsession, revealing searches dating back to 2014, including phrases like “movies about kids getting raped,” “are all men pedophile,” and the horrifying “necrophilia.” These searches expose the depths of his depravity and the dangerous mindset fueling his crimes.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a national initiative dedicated to combating child sexual exploitation and abuse. Ashton’s conviction serves as a stark reminder of the hidden dangers lurking online and the importance of vigilance in protecting vulnerable children. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on efforts to bring predators like Ashe to justice.

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