A Kenduskeag man faces up to 80 years in prison and $750,000 in fines after he pleaded guilty on Monday to multiple counts of producing child pornography involving two “very young” children.
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Justin Leonard, 24, pleaded guilty in federal court to two counts of producing child pornography and one count of child pornography possession.
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents executed a search warrant at Leonard’s home in February 2024 following an online tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Leonard was present during the execution of the warrant and cooperated with HSI agents, providing his face ID and password for a hidden folder of photos on his phone.
Investigators found multiple sexually explicit images and videos in the folder, showing two children described by authorities as “very young.” Leonard admitted to officers that he had taken the images and videos.
The children’s parents confirmed that it was their children in the videos, and corroborated Leonard’s story.
An examination of Leonard’s phone revealed a Facebook chat in which Leonard expressed sexual interest in children, along with a desire to “acquire” them. His internet search history also revealed queries for “youngest age you can safely give a roofie” and “Is there any drug that can make a person unconscious for 2 hours?”
Leonard faces a maximum of 30 years in prison for each count of child pornography production, and a minimum of 15 years each along with potential $250,000 fines. The possession charge carries a maximum 20-year prison sentence and another possible $250,000 fine. Each of the charges carries a potential lifetime supervised release.
The Maine State Police Computer Crimes Unit assisted with the investigation.
