Accused or Charged with Sexual Exploitation of a Minor: What You Need to Know
Allegations involving the sexual exploitation of a minor are among the most serious criminal charges a person can face in Maine. These types of offenses—often involving accusations of child pornography, online solicitation, or unlawful sexual contact—carry severe legal penalties and lifelong consequences. Beyond the legal ramifications, the social stigma attached to these allegations can be devastating, even before a conviction occurs.
Sexual exploitation and abuse of minors are considered especially serious because of the long-term emotional and psychological impact on victims. Studies consistently show that individuals who experience sexual abuse as children may struggle with trust issues, anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges well into adulthood.
Media headlines frequently highlight these types of offenses, reinforcing the intense scrutiny placed on those accused. A recent high-profile case in the Boston area, involving child pornography and other related crimes, illustrates just how aggressively law enforcement and prosecutors pursue these charges.
In this article, we’ll explain what you need to know if you or someone you care about is facing charges related to the sexual exploitation of a minor in Maine. We’ll cover how these cases are investigated, what potential defenses may be available, and why working with an experienced criminal defense attorney is absolutely critical.
Call 207-571-8146 or contact us online to schedule a consult with one of our highly skilled criminal defense & OUI lawyers, serving Southern Maine, today.
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Maine Resident Charged with Multiple Sex Crimes in Boston
On September 1, 2022, Patrick Plummer pleaded guilty to multiple sex crimes in a federal court located in Boston, MA. Mr. Plummer is a resident of the State of Maine, and traveled to Georgetown, MA for the purpose of engaging in illicit sex with an underage girl. In reality, the underage girl was actually an undercover police officer attempting to catch Mr. Plummer in a “sting” operation. After Mr. Plummer was caught by the undercover officer, police discovered thousands of images and videos of child pornography on his mobile devices and computer. Furthermore, Mr. Plummer himself admitted to various criminal acts after he was apprehended by police. Specifically, he admitted to talking to over ten minor girls, that he was in possession of a large quantity of child pornography, and that he had indeed traveled all the way from Maine to engage in sex with the person whom he believed was 13 years old.
U.S. Attorney Rachel Rollins has been particularly vocal about condemning Mr. Plummer’s behavior and insisting that more be done to prevent these types of crime in the future. Ms. Rollins’ attitude was echoed by Joseph Bonavolonta, Special Agent of the FBI in charge of the Boston area division. Not only did Mr. Plummer confess to possessing thousands of pieces of child pornography, he also admitted to disseminating illicit material via applications on his mobile device. Mr. Bonavolonta, just like Ms. Rollins, condemned Mr. Plummer’s actions in the harshest possible terms and emphasized the need for prevention. Given all the charges, Mr. Plummer could face up to life in prison.
Call 207-571-8146 or contact us online to schedule a consult with one of our highly skilled criminal defense & OUI lawyers, serving Southern Maine, today.
Sexual Exploitation of a Minor Law in Maine
The State of Maine takes sexual assault crimes just as seriously as any other jurisdiction in the U.S. Maine has its own laws pertaining to sex crimes against minors (i.e. sexual exploitation, child pornography, statutory rape, etc.), and sex crimes against other adults (i.e. gross sexual assault, unlawful sexual contact, etc.). If you’ve been charged with any type of sexual crime in Maine, you need to obtain the services of a qualified defense attorney immediately. The reason is because these charges can lead to sentences of a very long duration. And, sexual crimes carry other potential consequences, such as the requirement of registering as a sex offender.
The case of Mr. Plummer is notable for several reasons. One reason is because of the fact that Mr. Plummer committed multiple types of sex crimes. One crime he committed is “sexual exploitation of a child.” Child sexual exploitation basically occurs when a person deliberately attempts to lure an underage person into engaging in sex acts. Importantly, the enticement element refers to the deliberate attempt to lure a minor, not the result of the attempt; in other words, a person will be guilty of sexual exploitation of a minor even if they don’t end up engaging in sex acts with the minor. This is just what happened in the case of Mr. Plummer. Mr. Plummer also possessed, and disseminated, child pornography; both of those things are separate crimes under Maine law.
Solicitation of a minor law in Maine
One offense closely related to the sexual exploitation of a minor in Maine is the solicitation of a minor, which involves attempting to persuade or entice a child to engage in illegal sexual activity.
In Maine, soliciting a minor to engage in sexual activity is a serious criminal offense with severe legal consequences. Under Title 17-A §259-A of the Maine Criminal Code, a person can be charged with solicitation if they knowingly encourage, invite, or attempt to persuade a minor—directly or indirectly—to participate in a sexual act or other prohibited sexual conduct.
To be charged with this offense, the following criteria generally must be met:
- The person making the solicitation is at least 16 years old;
- They know or believe the other individual is under 14 years old;
- There is at least a 3-year age difference between the parties.
The severity of the charge depends largely on the age of the minor involved. If the child is under 12 years old, the crime is typically prosecuted as a Class C felony in Maine, which can carry a potential prison sentence of up to 5 years. If the minor is older but still below the legal age of consent (under 16), the charge may be prosecuted as a Class D misdemeanor, though it can still result in jail time, fines, and mandatory sex offender registration.
In today’s digital world, many solicitation cases arise from online or electronic communication, including:
- Text messages or phone calls via smartphones and tablets
- Conversations in online chat rooms
- Direct messages on social media platforms or apps
- Communication through video games or other internet-connected services
It’s important to understand that an actual meeting or physical contact does not have to occur for a solicitation charge to be filed. The intent and attempt to solicit alone may be enough to result in a criminal charge under Maine law.
If you’ve been accused of soliciting a minor—whether online or in person—it’s critical to speak with a criminal defense attorney experienced in sex crime allegations. These cases often involve complex evidence, including digital communications and undercover sting operations, and require a strategic legal defense to protect your rights.
Child pornography laws in Maine
Under Maine law, a person can be charged and convicted of a crime merely for possessing child pornography, regardless of whether that person created the material, or disseminated the material to others. If a person knowingly or intentionally acquires any pornographic material depicting a minor, that person can be charged with a crime. The crime of possession of child pornography is a Class C offense in the state of Maine. Likewise, if a person intentionally distributes pornographic material depicting a minor, that person can be charged with a crime. Even for a first offense, the crime of dissemination of child pornography is treated as a Class B crime in Maine. This means that this offense is treated quite harshly in the State of Maine.
As mentioned, a person convicted of a sexual assault against a minor will be required to register as a sex offender in Maine. This essentially means that the convicted person will need to regularly provide certain personal information to the sex offender registry. This allows communities to be on alert, which maximizes safety, and helps to prevent future offenses. Readers should know that having to register as a sex offender can have all sorts of unpleasant ramifications, including career stagnation. Perhaps more than any other type of crime, sexual assault against minors comes with very harsh long-term consequences.
Accused of a Sex Crime with a minor in Maine? (Video)
Protect Your Rights and Your Future
Being accused or charged with the sexual exploitation of a minor in Maine is not just overwhelming—it can feel life-shattering. The social stigma, potential penalties, and emotional toll are immense, even before a conviction occurs. But remember: being accused is not the same as being guilty, and you still have rights that must be protected.
At The Maine Criminal Defense Group, we understand the gravity of these charges and the impact they can have on every part of your life. We also understand that false accusations, misunderstandings, or circumstantial evidence can lead to devastating consequences for the wrongly accused.
If you or someone you love is facing allegations related to the sexual exploitation of a minor, it is critical to act quickly. Early intervention from an experienced criminal defense attorney can make a meaningful difference in how your case is handled—and in the outcome.
Don’t wait for things to spiral out of control. Contact The Maine Criminal Defense Group today for a confidential consultation. We’re here to protect your rights, defend your reputation, and help you move forward.
Call 207-571-8146 or contact us online to schedule a consult with one of our highly skilled criminal defense & OUI lawyers, serving Southern Maine, today.
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