Deyquan Martin, 22, of Burlington was sentenced to a five- year term of imprisonment as well as 10 years of supervised release in federal court Feb. 5 following his guilty plea to possession of child pornography (also known as child sexual abuse material or CSAM), the U.S. Attorney’s office reported.
According to court documents, 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.
“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.