District of Maine | Lisbon Man Faces 10-20 Years in Prison for Possession of Child Abuse Material

PORTLAND, Maine: A Lisbon man pleaded guilty today in the U.S. District Court in Portland to possession of child pornography.

According to court documents, the Maine State Police (MSP) identified an IP address at the residence of Joseph Gibson36, which had been used to download child pornography. In December 2023, the MSP executed a search warrant at the residence, seizing two devices belonging to Gibson that were found to contain child pornography. The case was referred to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), which conducted a follow-up investigation of the devices. HSI found five video files on Gibson’s phone that depicted sexual abuse of young children. Gibson also admitted to viewing child pornography online when questioned by detectives.

Because Gibson has a prior conviction in state court for possession and distribution of child pornography, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum of 20 years in prison on the federal charge, followed by five years to life of parole. He also faces a maximum fine of $250,000. Gibson will be sentenced following completion of a preliminary investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district judge will determine a sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

HSI investigated the case with the assistance of the MSP.

To report an incident involving the possession, distribution, receipt or production of child pornography: Child sexual abuse material – legally referred to as “child pornography” – documents the sexual abuse and exploitation of children. These images document the exploitation and mistreatment of victims, who are revictimized with each viewing. In 2023, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children received 36 million reports of the possession, production, or distribution of child sexual abuse material. To file a report with NCMEC, go to https://rapport.cybertip.org or call 1-800-843-5678If you are in Maine and you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted or abused, you can get help by calling the toll-free, private 24-hour statewide sexual assault helpline at 1-800-871-7741.

Project iGuardian online safety program available to Maine communities: The Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) program Project iGuardian is dedicated to protecting children and teens from online predators through education and awareness. The in-person educational outreach effort is designed to share information about the dangers of online environments, how to stay safe online, and how to report abuse and suspicious activity. Schools, parent groups, and other community groups interested in bringing the program to their communities can learn more at: https://www.dhs.gov/know2protect/training.

Safe Childhood Project: This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Department’s Child Abuse and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children online, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-me/psc.

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