HSI New England investigation Leads to 30 Year Sentence for Pennsylvania Man Who Sexually Exploited a Child

BOSTON — A Pennsylvania man was sentenced in federal court in Springfield July 24 for a child sexual exploitation offense after an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New England.

“David Tweed preyed on a child, first exploiting her online and later abusing her in person. This is a horrific example of how online threats become real danger,” said HSI New England Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol. “HSI is working around the clock to keep kids safe online by bringing predators like Tweed to justice.”

Between September 2021 and December 2021, Tweed sexually exploited a 12- to 13-year-old girl he met online. During this time, Tweed repeatedly persuaded her to send sexual pictures and video of herself and to perform lewd acts on video calls.

On more than one occasion, Tweed drove from Pennsylvania to places in New England where he met with and sexually assaulted the victim.

“David Tweed’s conduct was horrific and deserving of the severe sentence that the court imposed. Mr. Tweed sought out, groomed and then repeatedly sexually abused and exploited this very young and vulnerable girl. His criminal and depraved behavior has finally been stopped and his victim is finally free of his abuse. I applaud the victim’s bravery and the support and dedication of her family to see this case through,” said acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “The United States Attorney’s Office, with our law enforcement partners, will continue to investigate, prosecute and hold predators like Mr. Tweed accountable.”

Krol and Levy made the announcement. The investigation was led by HSI New England’s Springfield Resident Agent in Charge office with significant assistance was provided by the Hampden County Sheriff’s Office and the Monson Police Department.

HSI is a global leader in the fight against child exploitation. Last year, HSI special agents dedicated 1.2 million case hours toward investigating child exploitation. This heinous crime harms the most vulnerable in our society: our kids. As technology evolves and more people have access to the internet, children are at a greater risk than ever. HSI’s special agents and analysts around the world are dedicated to countering this threat.

Report suspected child exploitation to the HSI tip line at 877-4-HSI-TIP or through the CyberTipline on the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children's website.

HSI’s Project iGuardian is focused on keeping children and teens safe from online predators through education and awareness. Schools, parent groups, and other community groups can request in-person educational outreach presentations to learn about the dangers of online environments, how to stay safe online, and how to report abuse and suspicious activity.