A 24-year-old Bothell man has been found guilty of sex crimes involving a 14-year-old child.
THOMAS MAHONEY pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to two federal charges related to his sexual molestation of a 14-year-old child, announced U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes.
He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison when sentenced by U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour on December 18, 2018. MAHONEY was arrested in October 2017. Today he pleaded guilty to travel with intent to engage in a sexual act with a minor and enticement of a minor.
A Facebook notification to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) about sexual conversations and photos being exchanged between an adult and child over its network led to the discovery of MAHONEY’s crimes.
Law enforcement in California and the Seattle Internet Crimes against Children Task Force (ICAC) traced the internet address to MAHONEY, and a court-authorized search warrant was served on his residence. Electronic devices were obtained for analysis, confirming that MAHONEY traveled to California three times in 2016 and 2017 to have sex with the victim.
The victim was approximately 13 years old when MAHONEY ‘friended’ them on Facebook and 14 years old when MAHONEY initiated sex. MAHONEY made videos of the sexual contact, thereby producing child pornography.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, both the prosecution and defense will recommend a ten-year prison term. This recommendation does not bind Judge Coughenour, who has the authority to impose a sentence up to life in prison. MAHONEY will also be required to register as a sex offender.
The case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in coordination with the Seattle Police Department and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC). The Contra Costa County California District Attorney’s Office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of California, and the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Department are key partners in the investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Cecelia Gregson, with assistance from Assistant United States Attorney Christina McCall of the Northern District of California.
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Key Facts
- State: Washington
- Category: Sex Crimes|Cybercrime|Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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