Jay Clayton, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York | Department of Justice
Cameron McEwen has been sentenced to 210 months in prison for receiving sexually explicit photographs from a 16-year-old minor through a social media platform. The sentencing was handed down by U.S. District Judge Philip M. Halpern. McEwen, who had previously been convicted of rape in the second degree in Orange County Court in January 2022, committed this new offense after serving time for his earlier crime involving sexual abuse of a minor.
According to court documents and statements made during proceedings, McEwen used multiple Snapchat accounts in April 2023 to coerce a teenage girl into sending him explicit images. He initially threatened an eighteen-year-old friend of the victim, stating he would release her explicit photos and cause harm unless she persuaded another person to send additional material. The friend contacted the victim, who then communicated with McEwen on Snapchat and was pressured into sending explicit content. Authorities also reported that McEwen used similar tactics with other victims.
U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton commented on the case: “Child pornography is a scourge on our society,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “It leaves deep and lasting scars. It turns the stomach of every parent. Cameron McEwen met his victims via social media coercing them online to send him sexually explicit pictures and videos. Wherever predators lurk, including online, our Office will use every tool available to find and prosecute them.”
FBI Assistant Director in Charge Christopher G. Raia stated: “Cameron McEwen extorted a minor female victim with threats against her friends and family to force compliance with his perverted sexual demands. Not only did McEwen sexually exploit a teenage girl across the country, but he continued to seek additional victims for twisted gratification. May this sentencing emphasize the FBI’s commitment to protecting our vulnerable populations from sexual predators, regardless of where they may be located.”
In addition to his prison sentence, McEwen, 23, of Middletown, New York, received a lifetime term of supervised release.
Jay Clayton recognized the work of agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Alaska and New York, as well as support from the New York State Police Troop F, Middletown Police Department, and Ketchikan Police Department.
The prosecution was managed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn Wheelock from the White Plains Division.
Individuals with information about child exploitation are encouraged to contact law enforcement at 1-800-Call-FBI.
