A devastating case of child abuse has come to light in Portland, Maine. Matthew Boyd, a 33-year-old former sailor at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, has been sentenced to five years in prison for the sexual abuse of a minor.
The abuse occurred in August 2009, when Boyd was a 20-year-old active-duty sailor. He began corresponding with an 11-year-old girl on Myspace, and when she was 12, he brought her to the shipyard where they engaged in a sexual act.
The victim, now an adult, came forward in October 2020, working with law enforcement to reach out to Boyd. During the conversation, Boyd confessed to the abuse.
U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee praised the diligence and commitment to justice shown by law enforcement in this case. ‘The passage of time will not shield sexual predators,’ she said. ‘It is critically important that regardless of the passage of time, sexual predators, particularly those who victimize children, are held accountable for their conduct within the bounds of the law.’
The Naval Criminal Investigative Service investigated the case. U.S. District Judge Nancy Torresen sentenced Boyd to five years in prison followed by five years of supervised release. Boyd pleaded guilty on January 25, 2022.
The case serves as a reminder that child abuse can occur anywhere, and that victims can find justice, no matter how much time has passed. The courage of the survivor in this case is an encouraging message to those who have been similarly traumatized that they can seek and achieve justice.
Related Federal Cases
- Michigan Man Charged with Sexual Abuse of a Minor · Michigan
- Mikeale Frazier Sentenced to 10 Years for Child Sexual Abuse, DC, 2023 · Idaho
- South Portland Man Sentenced to 16½ Years for Sexually Exploiting a Minor · Oklahoma
- Terrence Talbot, Possessing Child Sexual Abuse Material, Waterville ME, 2024 · Maine
- Scott Morrill Sentenced to 10 Years for Possession of Child Sexual … · Massachusetts
Key Facts
- State: Maine
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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