David Tweed, Sexual Exploitation of a Child, Massachusetts 2022
A 46-year-old man from Pennsylvania has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for his role in the sexual exploitation of a 12-year-old girl he met online.
David Tweed, of Kulpmont, Pennsylvania, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni in Springfield, Massachusetts, on multiple counts of sexual exploitation of a child.
According to officials, Tweed met the 12-year-old girl online and repeatedly persuaded her to send sexual pictures and videos of herself. He also coerced her into performing lewd acts on video calls.
On multiple occasions, Tweed drove from Pennsylvania to locations in New England where he met with and sexually assaulted the victim.
Tweed was initially arrested in August 2022, after an investigation by the FBI's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in New England.
“David Tweed's conduct was horrific and deserving of the severe sentence that the Court imposed,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “Mr. Tweed sought out, groomed and then repeatedly sexually abused and exploited this very young and vulnerable girl. His criminal and depraved behavior has finally been stopped and his victim is finally free of his abuse.”
“This case highlights the dangers of online predators and the importance of vigilance when it comes to protecting our children from these types of threats,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol for Homeland Security Investigations in New England.
Tweed's conviction is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the U.S. Attorney's Offices and the DOJ's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section.
The case was brought by the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts, with significant assistance provided by the Hampden County Sheriff's Office and the Monson Police Department.
Key Facts
- State: Massachusetts
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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