A Presque Isle man, Joseph Ebner, pleaded guilty on Apr. 17 in U.S. District Court in Bangor to charges of distributing and possessing child sexual abuse material.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to address crimes involving the exploitation of children online. The prosecution was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a national initiative aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse.
According to court records, Ebner, age 32, began communicating online with an undercover agent who posed as the father of a nine-year-old girl. During these conversations, Ebner sent multiple videos containing child sexual abuse material and indicated his intent to have sexual contact with the fictitious daughter. Investigators executed a search warrant at Ebner’s residence after learning this information. He agreed to be interviewed and admitted both his communications with the undercover agent and sending multiple images of child sexual abuse material. A forensic examination later found numerous images and videos on his electronic devices.
Ebner faces a minimum sentence of five years and up to twenty years for distribution charges, along with up to twenty years for possession charges. Each count carries a maximum fine of $250,000 and supervised release terms that could last 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 following consideration of relevant guidelines.
The investigation involved several agencies including the FBI, Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office, and Bangor Police Department.
In 2023 alone, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children received 36 million reports related to possession or distribution of such materials nationwide. Individuals can report incidents via https://report.cybertip.org or call 1-800-843-5678; support is also available through Maine’s statewide helpline at 1-800-871-7741.
The U.S. Attorney for the District of Maine is responsible for prosecuting federal crimes like this one across the state according to its official website. The office also manages civil matters involving government interests and collects debts owed federally according to its official website. It operates from offices in Portland and Bangor while building alliances among federal, state, and local law enforcement partners according to its official website.
