New Hampshire man sentenced to 20 years for child porn and exploitation

CONCORD, N.H. - A New Hampshire man was sentenced in federal court in Concord Tuesday in a child exploitation case investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Somersworth Police Department.

Scott Wilson, 41, formerly of Somersworth, N.H., was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for transporting a minor in interstate commerce with the purpose of having the child engage in illegal sexual conduct, and possession of child pornography. In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney John P. Kacavas said upon Wilson's release from prison, he will be required to register as a sex offender and will be placed on supervised release for the remainder of his life.

"The significant sentence in this case is commensurate for these violations," said Bruce M. Foucart, special agent in charge, who oversees ICE HSI in New England. "ICE is going to remain relentless in our efforts to find you, arrest you, and prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law. The sad part about these crimes is that every time a sexually explicit image of a minor is produced, transmitted, or viewed, a child is victimized."

Wilson was arrested last year when the Somersworth Police Department received information that he had used a computer to lure a young boy he met online for sex. The investigation revealed that in 2004, Wilson met a 13 year-old boy from Maine online. Wilson and the boy communicated with each other using e-mail and instant messaging whereby Wilson arranged to meet the minor. Wilson travelled to Maine, met the boy, and brought him back to New Hampshire where they engaged in sexual activity in Wilson's home.

A federal search warrant resulted in the seizure of Wilson's computer which allegedly contained images of child sexual assault. Wilson waived indictment and pleaded guilty to the two-count information.

This investigation was part of Operation Predator, a nationwide ICE initiative to protect children from sexual predators, including those who travel overseas for sex with minors, Internet child pornographers, criminal alien sex offenders, and child sex traffickers.

ICE encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free hotline at 1-866-DHS-2ICE. This hotline is staffed around the clock by investigators. Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, at 1-800-843-5678 or http://www.cybertipline.com.