Springfield man found guilty of child exploitation after investigation

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – A Springfield man has been found guilty of sexually exploiting a child on social media.

West Springfield man ordered to register as sex offender after sexually assaulting minor

According to the Hampden Public Prosecution Service, the 28-year-old Wesley Bowleg of Springfield was found guilty on August 20 of two charges: distribution of material of a child in a sexual act and providing alcohol to a person under 21.

The investigation by the Springfield Police Department’s Special Victims Unit, the Massachusetts State Police and the Hampden District Attorney’s Office’s Special Victims Unit stemmed from an August 2019 incident when a video circulated on social media showing Bowleg sexually abusing two underage girls.

Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni stated, “I hope this verdict brings some measure of justice to the courageous victims involved in this case, who were minors when these despicable offenses occurred. I thank Detective Denise Toledo of the Springfield Police Department’s Special Victims Unit and Massachusetts State Police Trooper Nicholas Pellegrino for their thoroughness and hard work in this investigation. I also thank my team, Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Vasiliades and Victim Witness Advocate Danielle Hultgren for all of their hard work on this case.”

A hearing on Bowleg’s sentencing is scheduled for August 29 in Hampden County Superior Court.