HAGERSTOWN, MD News (7/28/2024) – On July 26, 2024, U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang sentenced Matthew Molnar, 47, of Hagerstown, Maryland, to thirty years in federal prison for sexual exploitation of a child. The sentence will be followed by fifteen years of supervised release. Molnar was also ordered to pay $18,000 in restitution. Upon his release, he must continue to register as a sex offender pursuant to the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).
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The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron, Michael McCarthy of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore, and Chief Malik Aziz of the Prince George’s County Police Department.
Molnar’s criminal activities came to light through an extensive investigation. According to the guilty plea, he had a history of related offenses. In 2015, Molnar was convicted of possession of child pornography. This conviction did not deter his subsequent actions. In 2020 and 2021, Molnar communicated with a minor victim based in Florida, coercing the victim to produce sexually explicit videos. In May 2021, Molnar traveled to meet the minor victim, falsely claiming to be 17 years old and a pre-law student.
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Molnar’s predatory behavior continued. In February 2022, he began communicating with another minor victim in Maryland, exchanging sexually explicit messages. During the same month, he had sexual intercourse with the minor on multiple occasions. A subsequent search of Molnar’s home revealed numerous sexually explicit files involving the minor victim. The examination of his electronic devices further showed that Molnar had distributed numerous child pornography files.
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This case underscores the ongoing efforts to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. It was brought under Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice. PSC aims to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children and to rescue the victims. Led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, PSC leverages federal, state, and local resources in its mission. More information about PSC and Internet safety education can be found at www.justice.gov/psc.
U.S. Attorney Barron commended the collaborative efforts of the FBI, HSI, and Prince George’s County Police Department in the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Sarma is leading the prosecution of this federal case.
Story by multiple RFHC contributors
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