Four individuals from New York and Vermont were arraigned in federal court last week on charges related to child exploitation offenses. 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 are facing a range of charges including conspiracy to sexually exploit a child and distribution or receipt of child pornography. All four defendants are being held pending further proceedings.
According to the criminal complaints filed in the case, LaValley is accused of conspiring with McDougal and separately with Balthazor to video record the sexual abuse of two minor children. The complaints allege that these depictions were exchanged over the internet among the defendants. It is further alleged that LaValley distributed some material created with McDougal and Balthazor to Clark using an online social networking application during discussions about their mutual interest in abusing children.
The charges include conspiracy to sexually exploit a child and sexual exploitation of a child for LaValley, McDougal and Balthazor. Clark faces charges for receipt of child pornography. The penalties for these crimes range from five years up to thirty years in federal prison depending on the charge. Fines can reach up to $250,000 per count and each defendant could face supervised release ranging from five years up to life after serving their sentence. Upon release from prison if convicted, all would be required to register as sex offenders.
A judge will determine any sentence based on statutory requirements as well as U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III commented: “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 said: “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 stated: “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.”
The investigation is being conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) along with New York State Police.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Adrian S. LaRochelle is prosecuting this case under Project Safe Childhood—a nationwide initiative led by U.S Attorneys’ Offices aimed at combating online child sexual exploitation by coordinating federal resources with state and local agencies [Project Safe Childhood](https://www.justice.gov/psc).
