Maine Man, 53, Admits to Child Porn Possession

PORTLAND, Maine – Jeffery Furlong, 53, of China, Maine, has confessed to a sickening crime: possessing child pornography with the intent to view it. The plea, entered yesterday in U.S. District Court, shines a harsh light on the dark underbelly of online exploitation and the predators who lurk within.

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 messaging app favored by those seeking to distribute and consume horrific content. Investigators zeroed in on a user who was uploading videos depicting the sexual abuse of children.

That user was identified as Jeffery Furlong. An October 2024 raid on Furlong’s residence yielded disturbing evidence. According to court records, Furlong readily admitted to downloading images and videos of child sexual abuse material onto his phone via Kik. A subsequent search of his Kik account confirmed the presence of the illegal material, and revealed a depraved interest in children aged 6-to-12 years old.

This isn’t just about files on a phone; it’s about the real, lasting damage inflicted on vulnerable victims. Each view of this material constitutes a further act of abuse, a revictimization that leaves scars that may never heal. NCMEC received a staggering 36 million reports of such material in 2023 alone, underscoring the scale of the problem.

Furlong now faces up to 20 years behind bars, along with a potential fine of $250,000 and a lifetime of supervised release. Sentencing will be deferred until a presentence investigative report is completed by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal judge will weigh the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other relevant factors before handing down a final sentence.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 aimed at dismantling networks of child exploitation. Homeland Security Investigations and the Maine State Police Computer Crimes Unit spearheaded the investigation. If you suspect child exploitation, report it immediately to NCMEC at https://report.cybertip.org or 1-800-843-5678. In Maine, those needing help with sexual assault or abuse can call 1-800-871-7741. Don’t look away. Report it.

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