Joshua Decker, 36, of Portland was sentenced in US District Court in Portland for enticing a minor and possessing child sexual abuse material it was announced this morning by the Portand Police Department.
He was sentenced to 12 years in prison followed by supervised release for life. Decker pleaded guilty on July 3, 2024.
Two years ago Decker encountered the out-of-state victim in an onine chat forum and began regularly communicating with then, despite knowing the victim was a minor. In April 2023, the conversation became graphic and sexual and Decker discussed traveling to meet the victim. The US Attorney’s office does not identify minor victims of crime and is limiting identifying information.
In July of 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.
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) investigated the case with assistance from the Portland Police Department.