HSI Baltimore investigation lands Maryland man 10 years in federal prison for sexually abusing minor
The defendant also produced and distributed images documenting the sexual abuse of the minor victim
BALTIMORE — An investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore landed a Maryland man a 10-year prison sentence followed by 25 years of supervised release for enticement and coercion of a minor to engage in sexual activity. Richard Wesley Robinson, 74, of Cambridge, received the decade-long sentence at the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland in Baltimore Oct. 13.
“Richard Robinson’s actions are reprehensible and rightfully landed him a decade in federal prison,” said HSI Baltimore Special Agent in Charge James C. Harris. “This individual had to be stopped; he victimized this minor repeatedly. We must be assertive, vigilant and unwavering in our commitment to stop predators like Robinson. HSI Baltimore will continue to investigate and apprehend those who intend to do harm to the children of our Maryland communities.”
According to the investigation, Robinson communicated with a 12-year-old boy prior to July 2018, and used the internet and a cellular device to arrange a meeting for sexual activity. On July 17, 2018, Robinson met the victim in Easton, where Robinson engaged in sexual activity with the child. Robinson used his cellphone to document the sexual abuse.
In July 2021, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a CyberTip reporting that Robinson’s Snapchat account had uploaded suspected child sexual abuse material.
Authorities later executed a search at Robinson’s residence and seized multiple digital devices, including cellphones and other electronic media. After obtaining search and seizure warrants, investigators forensically examined digital devices seized from Robinson’s residence and reviewed extracted data in support of the investigation.
Upon reviewing Robinson’s cellphones, authorities discovered sexually explicit images of the victim, which Robinson produced during the July 2018 encounter.
After sexually abusing the victim and producing sexually explicit images, Robinson sent text messages that described the abuse and distributed sexually explicit material of the child.
In addition to distributing sexually explicit images of the victim over the internet, Robinson also engaged in sexually explicit communication regarding minors. During these communications, Robinson discussed the sexual abuse of children, including a prepubescent child who was being cared for by another Snapchat user.
On June 9, 2021, Robinson received sexually explicit images depicting the sexual abuse of a two-year-old male victim from that Snapchat user. After receiving the images, Robinson asked the Snapchat user about the abuse and encouraged the Snapchat user to “take some pics.”
Upon his release from prison, Robinson must register as a sex offender in the places where he resides, is an employee or is a student, pursuant to the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.
This investigation was conducted by HSI Baltimore and the Easton Police Department, with significant assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland.
Individuals across the world can report suspicious criminal activity to the HSI Tip Line 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Highly trained specialists take reports from both the public and law enforcement agencies related to laws enforced by HSI. If you want to report suspicious criminal activity, call the HSI Tip Line at 866-DHS-2423 (866-347-2423) from the United States and Canada or call 802-872-6199 from elsewhere.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.
HSI is the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats, specifically those criminal organizations that exploit the global infrastructure through which international trade, travel, and finance move. HSI’s workforce of more than 8,700 employees consists of more than 6,000 special agents assigned to 237 cities throughout the United States, and 93 overseas locations in 56 countries. HSI’s international presence represents DHS’ largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement.
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