Four individuals from New York and Vermont have been charged in federal court with offenses related to child exploitation. Devin LaValley, 37, of Burlington, New York; Melissa McDougal, 29, of Altmar, New York; Grace Balthazor, 33, of Elmira, New York; and Roxanne Clark, 43, of Bristol, Vermont were arraigned last week and remain detained as their cases proceed.
The charges stem from three criminal complaints. According to the allegations, LaValley conspired with McDougal and separately with Balthazor to record the sexual abuse of two minor children. The recordings were then exchanged online. The complaints also state that LaValley distributed some depictions created with McDougal and Balthazor to Clark through an online social networking application as part of communications about their mutual interest in sexually abusing children.
LaValley faces charges including conspiracy to sexually exploit a child, sexual exploitation of a child, receipt of child pornography, and distribution of child pornography. McDougal is charged with conspiracy to sexually exploit a child, sexual exploitation of a child, and distribution of child pornography. Balthazor faces charges for conspiracy to sexually exploit a child and sexual exploitation of a child. Clark is charged with receipt of child pornography.
All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
If convicted on the most serious charges—conspiracy or sexual exploitation—the defendants could face between 15 and 30 years in federal prison. Receipt or distribution charges carry penalties ranging from 5 to 20 years each. Each count also carries fines up to $250,000 and supervised release terms from at least five years up to life. Upon release from prison if convicted, they would be required to register as sex offenders.
Sentencing will depend on which statutes are violated as well as federal sentencing guidelines.
Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III commented: “The allegations in the criminal complaint are horrific. The child victims in this case are now safe thanks to the great work of HSI and the New York State Police. These depraved defendants will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and my office will seek the maximum sentence that can be imposed.”
HSI Special Agent Erin Keegan stated: “Through their alleged crimes, these defendants placed children in situations that caused unimaginable suffering that no minor should be face. While nothing can undo what these victims have already endured, HSI Buffalo, together with our law enforcement partners, is committed to ensuring that the perpetrators face justice for preying on the most vulnerable.”
New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said: “There is zero tolerance for those who endanger children, and these charges reflect the severity of the crimes and our commitment to finding justice for the victims. Children must be protected, not preyed upon and anyone who does so will be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted. I thank our State Police members, Department of Justice, and Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations for their determination in holding these four individuals accountable for their reprehensible actions.”
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) along with New York State Police continue investigating this case while Assistant U.S. Attorney Adrian S. LaRochelle leads prosecution efforts under Project Safe Childhood.
Project Safe Childhood is a national initiative led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices alongside other agencies aimed at combating technology-facilitated sexual exploitation crimes against children by coordinating federal resources for prosecution efforts as well as victim identification and rescue efforts nationwide (https://www.justice.gov/psc).
