Former North Dakota police officer sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for trading child pornography online
FARGO, N.D. — A former eastern North Dakota police officer was sentenced Monday to 10 years in federal prison for trading child pornography online.
This sentence resulted from an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigations (BCI).
Paul Bradley Meagher, 43, of Grand Forks, North Dakota, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Ralph R. Erickson to serve 10 years in prison. Meagher had previously pleaded guilty plea to receiving and distributing child pornography via the internet.
“It’s disturbing when someone seeks to harm a child — even more so when that person is in a position of public trust and abandons their sworn duty,” said Special Agent in Charge Alex Khu of HSI St. Paul. “The sentencing of this former police officer proves that HSI and our law enforcement partners will actively pursue anyone engaged in harming our community’s most vulnerable members.”
“The protection of children is a priority for all law enforcement in North Dakota and no matter who you are, if you choose to harm a child the response will be swift and sure,” said Christopher Myers, U.S. Attorney for the District of North Dakota.
In the fall of 2015, law enforcement was made aware of an internet protocol address located in Grand Forks that made multiple requests using a sophisticated network of computers to anonymize its IP address while trading child pornography. Shortly afterwards, law enforcement learned that the suspect was employed as an officer with the University of North Dakota Police Department.
On Nov. 3, 2015, agents from the North Dakota Internet Crimes against Children (ICAC) Task Force executed a search warrant at Meagher’s residence. Multiple items were seized, including various media devices containing more than 50,000 images and videos.
Judge Erickson also ordered Meagher to serve 10 years’ supervised release, pay a $300 special assessment to the Crime Victims’ Fund, and pay restitution of $16,000.
Assistant US Attorney Jennifer Puhl, District of North Dakota, prosecuted this case.
This investigation was conducted under HSI’s Operation Predator, an international initiative to protect children from sexual predators. Since the launch of Operation Predator in 2003, HSI has arrested more than 14,000 individuals for crimes against children, including the production and distribution of online child pornography, traveling overseas for sex with minors, and sex trafficking of children. In fiscal year 2015, nearly 2,400 individuals were arrested by HSI special agents under this initiative and more than 1,000 victims identified or rescued.
HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free Tip Line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators. From outside the U.S. and Canada, callers should dial 802-872-6199. Hearing impaired users can call TTY 802-872-6196.
Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, via its toll-free 24-hour hotline, 1-800-THE-LOST.
For additional information about wanted suspected child predators, download HSI’s Operation Predator smartphone app or visit the online suspect alerts page.
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