Date: 02-05-2024

Case Style:

United States of America v. Deyquan Martin

Case Number: 2:22-cr-00114

Judge: William K. Sessions III

Court: The United States Court for the District of Burlington (Chittenden County)

Plaintiff's Attorney: The United States Attorney’s Office in Burlington

Defendant's Attorney:

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Description:

Burlington, Vermont Criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with a Child Exploitation Offense.

On February 5, 2024, Deyquan Martin, 22, of Burlington, Vermont, was sentenced to a five-year term of imprisonment as well as 10 years of supervised release following Martin’s guilty plea to possession of child pornography (also known as child sexual abuse material or CSAM).

In 2022, Martin met a twelve-year-old minor through an online video game and, using an online messaging platform, posed as a thirteen-year-old and induced the twelve-year-old to send him CSAM in the form of photographs and videos of herself. Using the messaging platform, Martin later threatened the minor and caused the minor to send him additional CSAM in the form of photographs and videos of the minor. In another instance also in 2022, Martin met a thirteen-year-old minor through a different online video game and, using the same online messaging platform, induced the minor to send him CSAM in the form of photographs of the minor.

On September 22, 2022, Homeland Security Investigations, with the assistance of the Burlington Police Department, Vermont’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the New Jersey State Police, executed a search warrant at Martin’s Burlington residence. In searching Martin’s residence, law enforcement found CSAM depicting the twelve-year-old minor as well as other CSAM on Martin’s computer. Following the search, law enforcement placed Martin under arrest. Subsequent forensic analysis of electronic devices seized from Martin’s residence revealed additional CSAM in the form of photographs and videos.

United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest stated, “Thanks to our partners at Homeland Security Investigations, the Burlington Police Department, the Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the New Jersey State Police we put a stop to Martin’s predatory behavior exploiting minors playing video games. Protecting vulnerable victims is central to our mission and this case exemplifies our dedication in this area.”

“This is every parent’s worst nightmare. These children were simply playing an online game when they were approached and extorted by a predator. With kids online now more than ever, HSI continues to work alongside our partners to keep kids safe and ensure predators face justice for their crimes,” said Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England.

Martin was represented by Assistant Federal Public Defender Steven L. Barth. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew C. Gilman represented the United States.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, 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 Justice.gov/PSC.

Outcome:

Defendant was found guilty and sentenced to five-year term of imprisonment as well as 10 years of supervised release

Plaintiff's Experts:

Defendant's Experts:

Comments: