Federal charges have been filed against a former music teacher from Massachusetts and a Filipino man residing in Maryland. The U.S. Attorney's Office accuses the two individuals of producing videos depicting the sexual exploitation of minor boys in the Philippines.
Joshua DeWitte, aged 50, from Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Christopher Allan Tisoy, aged 27, a Filipino national living in Baltimore, Maryland, face one count each of sexual exploitation of minors and related charges.
DeWitte was apprehended and made an initial appearance in federal court in Boston. He is detained pending a hearing on May 12, 2025. Tisoy was arrested in Baltimore and will remain detained until his hearing on May 14, 2025.
The charging documents indicate that DeWitte previously worked as a music teacher at a local school in Massachusetts. Tisoy entered the United States lawfully on an H-1B Visa in September 2024 and works as a medical technologist at Sinai Hospital of Baltimore.
In December 2024, authorities allegedly identified DeWitte as the owner of a Snapchat account responsible for uploading suspected child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Records suggest that he engaged in explicit conversations with users posing as minors and solicited nude images while sharing inappropriate content himself.
Further allegations state that DeWitte paid another Snapchat user to create child pornography and recruit minors for him. In January 2025, state law enforcement executed a search warrant at DeWitte's residence in Cambridge leading to his arrest on several charges including dissemination of obscene material to children.
A forensic examination of DeWitte’s cell phone reportedly revealed Telegram conversations discussing sexually explicit video productions involving minors with Tisoy. These discussions detailed specific acts to be performed by the minors, filming logistics, and payment arrangements between DeWitte and Tisoy.
Between July 3, 2023, and December 27, 2024, it is alleged that DeWitte made numerous payments totaling approximately $23,752 to Tisoy through PayPal for these exploitative videos.
The public is encouraged to contact authorities if they have relevant information regarding this case at 617-748-3274 or USAMA.VictimAssistance@usdoj.gov.
The charge carries severe penalties including a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years up to a maximum of 30 years imprisonment among other sanctions. Sentences are determined by federal judges based on guidelines and statutes governing criminal cases.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley alongside Michael J. Krol from Homeland Security Investigations announced these charges. The investigation received support from various agencies including the Cambridge Police Department and Middlesex District Attorney’s Office with prosecution led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sandra Gonzalez Sanchez and Anne Paruti.
This case aligns with Project Safe Childhood initiated by the Department of Justice aiming to combat child exploitation nationwide since May 2006 by pooling resources across multiple levels to prosecute offenders while aiding victims’ recovery efforts. More information can be found at https://www.justice.gov/psc.
It should be noted that these details are allegations; both defendants remain presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in court.
