Maine man sentenced to 11 years for receiving child pornography
PORTLAND, Maine - A man from Sabattus, Maine was sentenced to over 11 years for receiving child pornography, as a result of a joint investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and Maine State Police Computer Crimes Unit.
Jody Moczara, 35, of Sabattus, was sentenced Friday in U.S. District Court to 135 months in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release for possession of child pornography. Moczara had pleaded guilty to the charges on October 14, 2015.
According to court records, in June of 2015, Moczara used the internet and a file sharing program to download several child pornography videos to his computer. Information obtained from his computer showed that he used the file-sharing program to search for child pornography. The computer contained large numbers of child pornography video files and still images, including images depicting children in bondage, in pain or discomfort, and engaging in bestiality.
“While sadly there is no way of removing every terrible images from the internet, HSI will continue to aggressively pursue those depraved individuals who seek them out,” said Matt Etre, special agent in charge for HSI Boston. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners at the state and local level to coordinate efforts, and leave these predators with nowhere to run.”
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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