A Scarborough man, Robert E. Milholland, Jr., pleaded guilty on March 31 in U.S. District Court in Portland to possessing child sexual abuse material.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to address the exploitation and abuse of children through digital platforms. Authorities say that the possession and distribution of such materials perpetuate harm to victims each time the images are viewed.
According to court records, Milholland, age 49, became the focus of a law enforcement investigation after being linked to child sexual abuse material over the BitTorrent peer-to-peer file-sharing network. In July 2025, Homeland Security Investigations executed a search warrant at his residence and seized multiple digital media devices containing illicit content.
Milholland faces up to 20 years in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000, and a supervised release term that could extend for life. Sentencing will occur after completion of a presentence investigative report by the U.S. Probation Office; final sentencing decisions will be made by a federal district court judge considering applicable guidelines and statutory factors.
Homeland Security Investigations and the Lewiston Police Department investigated this case as part of Project Safe Childhood—a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child exploitation online. For more information about Project Safe Childhood or resources for reporting suspected incidents or seeking help in Maine, individuals can visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-me/psc or contact relevant hotlines.
