Malcolm Lewis, Distribution of Child Pornography, Vermont 2015

A disturbing case of child exploitation came to light in Burlington, Vermont, when Malcolm Lewis, 38, was sentenced to 106 months incarceration and a 10 year period of supervised release for distributing child pornography.

The crime was committed on May 1, 2014, when a law enforcement officer was conducting undercover operations on the Ares file-sharing network. The officer observed a computer using a particular Internet Protocol (IP) address offering to share videos and still images of child pornography.

The officer downloaded three video files from the user of the IP address, which depicted small children engaged in sexual activity with adult men, including sadistic and masochistic conduct. Law enforcement traced the IP address to a Burlington address and obtained a warrant to search the location.

Lewis lived at that location and during an interview with law enforcement, he admitted to downloading and collecting videos and still images he knew to depict child pornography. A forensic examination of Lewis’ computer revealed that he had more than 2,300 images and 100 videos depicting child pornography. Lewis personally produced approximately 21 of the videos depicting child pornography.

The case is part of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Lewis was convicted of one count of distribution of child pornography, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2252(a)(2).

Lewis was sentenced on September 3, 2015, in United States District Court in Burlington, Vermont, to 106 months incarceration and a 10 year period of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office commended Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) for their efforts in the investigation and prosecution of Lewis. Lewis was represented by David L. McColgin.

The prosecution of Lewis was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Barbara A. Masterson.

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