CONCORD – David Maclean, 71, of Swanzey was sentenced to serve 63 months in federal prison for possessing child pornography, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

            According to court documents and statements made in court, the investigation began in July of 2017 with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Department Cyber Crimes Unit in Phoenix, Arizona.

Maclean previously resided in Arizona.  In September of 2017, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at the defendant's residence in Swanzey.  A review of various electronic devices found in the residence showed that they contained images and videos of child pornography.

            Maclean, who previously pleaded guilty, also was ordered to pay restitution to victims depicted in the images.

            “Protecting children is a high priority of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “Child pornography crimes cause untold amounts of damage to their young victims.  We will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute those who possess, manufacture or distribute child pornography.”        

            “This is a fitting sentence that can be taken as a warning to all who engage in this type of predatory behavior upon children, that they will be held accountable by law enforcement,” said Peter C. Fitzhugh Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Boston. “Homeland Security Investigations greatly appreciates the tireless work of our law enforcement partners and of the prosecution team that brought about justice in this disturbing case.”

                This matter was investigated in New Hampshire by the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and Homeland Security Investigations.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Helen White Fitzgibbon.

            In February 2006, the Department of Justice introduced Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse.  Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov           

 

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