MAINE, USA — Multiple local agencies teamed up with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) for an expansive investigation into child exploitation in Maine.
Along with HSI, the investigation also involved Maine State Police, the Somerset County Sheriff's Office and the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office, according to Maine Department of Public Safety spokesperson Shannon Moss. The Sanford, Eliot, Kittery, Biddeford, and Fryeburg police departments also assisted.
The agencies conducted a focused child exploitation enforcement operation in western and southern parts of the state over four days this week, Moss said in a press release.
In all, 16 search warrants were executed, Moss added. Those searches resulted in the possession, dissemination, and production of child sexual abuse material. Investigators also discovered efforts to disseminate sexually explicit material to minors and online coercion of children to produce sexual abuse material.
The warrants were executed in these Maine communities: Lyman, Limington, Hollis, Biddeford, Kittery, Eliot, Arundel, Steep Falls, North Waterboro, Sanford, Fryeburg, Bryant Pond, Hiram, West Paris, Hartford, Norway, and Madison.
The large-scale investigation into what was found is ongoing by the agencies, Moss said. Once completed, their findings will be turned in to area district attorney offices or the U.S. Attorney. That could lead to indictments from grand juries.
The investigations also led to the arrest of two people, Moss stated.
Shawn Ramsay, 48, of Arundel, was charged with possession of firearms in violation of a protection from abuse order. Benjamin Fecteau, 37, of Eliot, was arrested on two warrants, including failure to comply with the sex offender registry.
