A Presque Isle man, Joseph Ebner, pleaded guilty on April 17 in U.S. District Court in Bangor to charges of distributing and possessing child sexual abuse material.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to address the distribution and possession of child sexual abuse material. According to court records, Ebner, age 32, began communicating online with an undercover agent who was posing as the father of a nine-year-old girl. During these communications, Ebner sent multiple videos containing child sexual abuse material and indicated his desire to have sexual contact with the purported daughter. Investigators executed a search warrant at Ebner’s residence after learning this information. He agreed to be interviewed by authorities and admitted both communicating with the undercover agent and sending multiple images of child sexual abuse material. A forensic examination of his electronic devices revealed additional images and videos.
Ebner faces a minimum sentence of five years for distributing such materials, up to twenty years for each count, fines up to $250,000 per count, and supervised release that could last for life. Sentencing will take place after completion of a presentence investigative report by the U.S. Probation Office; a federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI, Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office, and Bangor Police Department investigated the case. In 2023 alone, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children received thirty-six million reports regarding possession or distribution of such materials nationwide.
To report incidents involving child sexual abuse material or seek help in Maine following assault or abuse, individuals are encouraged to use resources provided by national hotlines or visit https://report.cybertip.org for more information.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood—a Department of Justice initiative launched in May 2006—designed to combat online exploitation through coordinated federal resources aimed at apprehending offenders and rescuing victims.
The U.S. Attorney for the District of Maine serves as chief federal law enforcement officer in Maine according to its official website. The office prosecutes federal crimes across criminal cases as well as civil matters involving government interests according to its official website. It also collects debts owed federally while collaborating closely with state and local agencies according to its official website. With operations based in Portland and Bangor according to its official website, it works statewide building alliances among law enforcement partners according to its official website.
