A Lewiston man has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for possessing and distributing child sexual abuse material. Harold Clayton III, 35, received the sentence from Chief U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker in Portland, Maine. After serving his prison term, Clayton will be subject to 10 years of supervised release. He pleaded guilty on March 26, 2025.
The investigation began in June 2022 when the Maine State Police Computer Crimes Unit (MSPCCU) received two CyberTips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). Authorities traced the phone number identified in the tips to Clayton. In September 2022, MSPCCU and the Lewiston Police Department executed a search warrant at Clayton’s residence. During the search, law enforcement seized a cell phone and laptop that contained multiple images and videos depicting children being sexually abused by adult men; some victims were as young as toddlers. Investigators also found Telegram Messenger communications on Clayton’s phone showing he distributed such material.
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and MSPCCU led the investigation with assistance from the Lewiston Police Department.
“HSI commends the reporting of this heinous abuse of children to the CyberTip line, enabling law enforcement to take action and make sure Harold Clayton faced the full weight of justice,” said HSI New England Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol. “It is critically important the public join us in this fight against online child sexual exploitation by reporting suspicious activity. Together, we can protect and safeguard our children.”
According to NCMEC data, there were 36 million reports related to possession, manufacture, or distribution of child sexual abuse materials filed with their organization in 2023. Reports can be submitted through https://report.cybertip.org or by calling 1-800-843-5678.
This case was prosecuted under Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse by coordinating efforts among federal, state, and local agencies. More information about Project Safe Childhood is available at https://www.justice.gov/usao-me/psc.
