PORTLAND, Maine — A Portland man was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Portland for enticing a minor and possessing child sexual abuse material after an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Portland Police Department.
U.S. District Judge Nancy Torresen sentenced Joshua Decker, 36, to 144 months in prison followed by supervised release for life. Decker pleaded guilty on July 3, 2024.
“Joshua Decker chose to prey on a child, even after being previously convicted of possessing child sexual abuse material. This sentence demonstrates the significance of his crime and he will spend the rest of his life under federal supervision to ensure he cannot harm a child again,” said HSI New England Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol.
According to court records, in December 2022, Decker encountered the out-of-state 16-year-old victim in an online chat forum and began regularly communicating with them despite knowing the victim was a minor. In April 2023, the conversations became graphic and sexual, and Decker discussed traveling to meet the victim. In July 2023, the Portland Police Department executed a search warrant on Decker’s vehicle and person, recovering a tablet. Examination of the tablet revealed child sexual abuse material. Decker was previously convicted in Androscoggin County Criminal Court in 2018 for possessing sexually explicit material of a minor under 12.
HSI New England’s Portland Resident Agent in Charge office and the Portland Police Department investigated the case.
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.
Follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @HSINewEngland to learn more about HSI’s global missions and operations.