Cody J. Merrill, a resident of Gorham, was sentenced on March 12 in U.S. District Court in Portland to 25 years in prison for distributing and possessing child sexual abuse material. Chief U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker also ordered Merrill, age 33, to serve 15 years of supervised release following his prison term and pay $105,000 in restitution to identified victims whose images he possessed.
The sentencing follows Merrill's guilty plea entered on June 18, 2025. The case highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement to address the distribution and possession of child sexual abuse material and the impact such crimes have on victims.
According to court records, Merrill had previously been convicted of unlawful sexual conduct involving a minor in York County Superior Court. He sent video files depicting child sexual abuse material to undercover agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) using a messaging application. In February 2025, HSI executed a search warrant at Merrill's residence and seized multiple digital media devices. During a recorded interview with investigators, Merrill admitted to accessing, viewing, and distributing child sexual abuse material over various internet-based applications. A forensic review of his devices revealed more than 5,000 images depicting child sexual abuse.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office stated that identifying information is being limited to protect the privacy of the minor victims depicted in these materials. HSI led the investigation into the case.
The Department of Justice notes that individuals can report incidents involving possession or distribution of child sexual abuse material through the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at https://report.cybertip.org or by calling 1-800-843-5678. For those in Maine seeking help after experiencing sexual assault or abuse, assistance is available via a free statewide helpline at 1-800-871-7741.
This prosecution was part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child exploitation and abuse online.
