⏱ 2 min read
Dazhon Darien, a 34-year-old Houston man, pleaded guilty to child sex abuse crimes in federal court in Maryland. Between April 2023 and June 2024, Darien persuaded, induced, and coerced at least eight minor victims, including a 15-year-old, to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing and transmitting child sexual abuse material. Darien, who previously lived in Baltimore, used CashApp to pay one of the victims for the production and transmission of the explicit videos.
Darien’s guilty plea was announced by US Attorney Kelly O. Hayes, along with the FBI and the Baltimore County Police Department. According to the plea, Darien stored the exploitation videos on his cellphones and in internet-based accounts. The case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse.
Darien faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison for sexual exploitation of a minor. Sentencing is set for November 10. The case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to identify and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children.
The investigation was led by the FBI and the Baltimore County Police Department, with assistance from other agencies. The case is a reminder of the importance of reporting suspicious activity and supporting initiatives like Project Safe Childhood, which aims to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children.
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Sex Crimes
- Defendant: Maryland
- Location: MD
- Source: DOJ Press Release
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