Maine Man Sentenced for 2009 Child Abuse

A former Portsmouth Naval Shipyard sailor has been sentenced to prison for sexually abusing a minor in 2009, federal authorities announced.

Matthew Boyd, 33, of Michigan, was sentenced on January 25, 2022, to five years in prison followed by five years of supervised release, according to a U.S. Attorney’s office press release.

The abuse occurred in August 2009, when Boyd was a 20-year-old active-duty sailor stationed at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. He began corresponding with an 11-year-old girl on Myspace, and the two engaged in a sexual act when the girl was 12. The victim has since come forward and worked with law enforcement to bring Boyd to justice.

Boyd pleaded guilty to the crime on January 25, 2022, and was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Nancy Torresen. The case was investigated by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.

“The passage of time will not shield sexual predators,” said U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee. “This case is a fine example of the diligence and commitment to justice we expect to see from our law enforcement community. 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. May the courage of this survivor be an encouraging message to those who have been similarly traumatized that they can seek and achieve justice.”

Boyd’s case serves as a reminder that child abuse is a serious crime that can have long-lasting effects on victims. It is essential for law enforcement and the community to work together to prevent and prosecute such crimes.

Portsmouth Naval Shipyard is a U.S. Navy facility located in Kittery, Maine. It is home to the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Sailors and civilians who work together to maintain and repair U.S. Navy ships.

Matthew Boyd, Sexual Abuse of a Minor, Maine 2023

Defendant: Matthew Boyd

Criminal Charges: Sexual Abuse of a Minor

City and State: Portland, Maine

Date: August 2009 (crime), January 25, 2022 (sentencing)

Sentence: Five years in prison followed by five years of supervised release

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