Maine Man, 53, Admits to Child Porn Obsession

PORTLAND, Maine – Jeffery Furlong, 53, of China, Maine, has admitted to a sickening obsession: accessing and possessing child pornography. Furlong pleaded guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court to one count of Access with Intent to View Child Pornography, a crime that preys on the most vulnerable and leaves lasting scars.

The case began in June 2024 when the Maine State Police Computer Crimes Unit received a “Cybertip” from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC). The tip flagged activity on Kik, a popular instant messaging app, linking a user – later identified as Furlong – to the uploading of multiple videos depicting the sexual abuse of children. This isn’t some abstract online crime; it’s the documented exploitation of innocent victims, and every view perpetuates the abuse.

Investigators didn’t stop at the initial tip. In October 2024, a search warrant was executed at Furlong’s residence. There, he confessed to obtaining images and videos of child sexual abuse material on his cellular phone through Kik. A subsequent search of his Kik account revealed a disturbing trove of content and, critically, evidence of Furlong’s explicit sexual interest in children aged 6 to 12. The digital trail doesn’t lie; this was a deliberate and calculated pursuit of depravity.

Furlong now faces the consequences. He’s looking at up to 20 years behind bars, a potential fine of $250,000, and the possibility of a lifetime on supervised release. Sentencing will follow the completion of a presentence investigative report by the U.S. Probation Office, and a federal judge will determine the final punishment based on sentencing guidelines and other legal factors. It’s a start, but it doesn’t erase the harm.

This investigation was a joint effort between Homeland Security Investigations and the Maine State Police Computer Crimes Unit. The case also falls under Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice aimed at combating the escalating epidemic of child sexual exploitation. The goal? To find, arrest, and prosecute those who prey on children online and, crucially, to rescue victims.

If you encounter or suspect the possession, distribution, or creation of child sexual abuse material, report it immediately. NCMEC’s Cybertip line is available at https://report.cybertip.org or by calling 1-800-843-5678. In Maine, victims of sexual assault or abuse can access a 24-hour helpline at 1-800-871-7741. Remember: these images aren’t harmless files; they are evidence of horrific abuse, and the victims suffer every time they are viewed. In 2023 alone, NCMEC received a staggering 36 million reports of such material. More information on Project Safe Childhood can be found at https://www.justice.gov/usao-me/psc.

RELATED: Georgia Man Admits to Capitol Cop Assault

RELATED: Iowa Man Gets 53 Months for Tipton Jail Bomb Threat