Four individuals from New York and Vermont have been charged with child exploitation offenses following their arraignment in federal court last week. Devin LaValley, 37, of Burlington, New York; Melissa McDougal, 29, of Altmar, New York; Grace Balthazor, 33, of Elmira, New York; and Roxanne Clark, 43, of Bristol, Vermont were each detained pending further proceedings.
The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III, Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James.
According to the criminal complaints filed against them, LaValley is charged with conspiracy to sexually exploit a child, sexual exploitation of a child, receipt of child pornography, and distribution of child pornography. McDougal faces charges for conspiracy to sexually exploit a child, sexual exploitation of a child, and distribution of child pornography. Balthazor is charged with conspiracy to sexually exploit a child and sexual exploitation of a child. Clark faces charges for receipt of child pornography.
The complaints allege that LaValley conspired separately with McDougal and Balthazor to record the sexual abuse of two minor children. The recordings were then exchanged over the internet among the defendants. It is further alleged that LaValley distributed some depictions created with McDougal and Balthazor to Clark via an online social networking application as part of conversations about their mutual interest in abusing children. All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
If convicted on conspiracy or sexual exploitation charges, defendants face between 15 and 30 years in federal prison. Charges related to receipt or distribution of child pornography carry penalties ranging from 5 to 20 years imprisonment. Each charge also carries potential fines up to $250,000 and supervised release terms ranging from five years up to life. Upon release from prison, the defendants would be required to register as sex offenders.
Sentencing will be determined by a judge based on applicable statutes violated and U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III stated: “The allegations in the criminal complaint are horrific. The child victims in this case are now safe thanks to the great work of HSI and the New York State Police. These depraved defendants will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and my office will seek the maximum sentence that can be imposed.”
HSI Special Agent Erin Keegan stated: “Through their alleged crimes, these defendants placed children in situations that caused unimaginable suffering that no minor should be face. While nothing can undo what these victims have already endured, HSI Buffalo, together with our law enforcement partners, is committed to ensuring that the perpetrators face justice for preying on the most vulnerable.”
New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said: “There is zero tolerance for those who endanger children, and these charges reflect the severity of the crimes and our commitment to finding justice for the victims. Children must be protected, not preyed upon and anyone who does so will be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted. I thank our State Police members, Department of Justice, and Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations for their determination in holding these four individuals accountable for their reprehensible actions.”
Homeland Security Investigations and New York State Police are leading the investigation into this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adrian S. LaRochelle is prosecuting as part of Project Safe Childhood.
Project Safe Childhood is a national initiative led by U.S Attorneys’ Offices along with other agencies aiming to address online child sexual exploitation by coordinating resources at various government levels for investigation and prosecution efforts while working toward victim identification and rescue efforts (https://www.justice.gov/psc).
