BANGOR, Maine – In a disturbing case that highlights the dark side of the internet, an Old Town man has pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography.
Matthew Podlaski, 40, of Old Town, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Bangor to possessing child pornography involving a child under 12. The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations.
According to court records, between October and December 2022, Podlaski searched the internet for, and downloaded images of, the sexual abuse of young children, storing the images on multiple devices. Investigators seized 14 devices belonging to Podlaski, including laptop computers, flash drives and external storage devices.
Podlaski faces up to 20 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000, followed by five years to life of supervised release. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The case is a stark reminder of the dangers of child exploitation and abuse on the internet. Child sexual abuse material, also known as child pornography, captures the sexual abuse and exploitation of children and can cause significant harm to victims.
For those affected by child exploitation and abuse, there is help available. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children can be reached at https://report.cybertip.org or by calling 1-800-843-5678. In Maine, victims of sexual assault or abuse can call the free, private 24-hour statewide sexual assault helpline at 1-800-871-7741.
The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.
For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-me/psc.
Related Federal Cases
- Old Town Man Faces 20 Years for Possessing Child Porn · Maine
- Gorham Man Steven Tutt Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography Charges · Maine
- Augusta Man Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography Possession · Maine
- Zane Wetzel Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography Possession · Maine
- Ryan T. Card Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography Possession · Maine
Key Facts
- State: Maine
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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