PORTLAND, Maine — A Portland man faces 10 years to life in prison after pleading guilty Tuesday to charges of enticing a minor and possessing child sex abuse material in U.S. District Court in Portland.
Josuah Decker, 36, was previously convicted for possession of child pornography, according to a news release from the United States Attorney's Office District of Maine. He was convicted in Androscoggin County Criminal Court in 2018 for possession of sexually explicit material of a minor under the age of 12.
Court records suggest Decker connected with the 16-year-old child in an online chat forum in December 2022 and began regular communication with them despite knowing they were a minor, according to the release.
Beginning in April 2023, the conversations became "graphic and sexual, and Decker discussed traveling to meet with the victim," the release stated.
The U.S. Attorney's Office is limiting their release of certain information about the child, including gender and location, in an effort to protect their identity.
In July 2023, the Portland Police Department executed a search warrant on Decker's vehicle and person, in which they collected a tablet. After examining the tablet, officials found child sexual abuse material on Decker's device, according to the release.
Decker is facing no fewer than 10 years to life in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000 on the enticement charge and 10 to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 on the possession of child pornography charge. Officials said any sentence Decker receives would be followed by five years to life of supervised release, according to the release.
A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case with assistance from the Portland Police Department.
