Patrick Baxter, Child Pornography, Massachusetts 2024

Acton Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Child Pornography Offenses

BOSTON – An Acton man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston to 20 years in prison for sexual exploitation of children, receipt of child sexual abuse material and possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

Patrick Baxter, 44, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs to 20 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release.

In January 2024, Baxter was convicted after a jury trial of one count of possession of child pornography, one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of sexual exploitation of children.

Baxter was previously arrested and charged in December 2022.

“Child pornography is not just an image or video, there is an innocent child behind that lens who has been victimized. Each time someone views these images, the victims are revictimized, causing immeasurable harm,” said United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy.

Baxter downloaded CSAM from the internet on multiple occasions in 2021. A computer hard drive seized during a search of Baxter’s residence was found to contain approximately 427 video files depicting CSAM featuring prepubescent and pubescent minors engaged in various types of sexual acts and the lascivious display of their genitals. Baxter also produced CSAM in his home (then in Melrose) of a child known to him.

“Not only did Patrick Baxter amass hundreds of images of child sexual abuse, but he also sexually exploited a seven-year-old child for his own sick gratification,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Boston Division.

The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys David G. Tobin and Jessica L. Soto of the Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.

Valuable assistance was provided by the Melrose Police Department and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

U.S. Attorney Levy and FBI SAC Cohen made the announcement today.

The exact dates for this case are: arrest December 2022, sentencing January 2024, and the crime date 2021.

The defendant’s name is Patrick Baxter, and he is a resident of Acton, Massachusetts.

The charges against Patrick Baxter include sexual exploitation of children, receipt of child sexual abuse material, and possession of child sexual abuse material.

The outcome of this case is 20 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release.

Patrick Baxter will serve 20 years in prison for his crimes.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/acton-man-sentenced-20-years-prison-child-pornography-offenses