HSI Baltimore investigation nets Maryland man 10 years in federal prison for coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity

GREENBELT, Md. — An investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore and FBI Baltimore resulted in a Maryland man being sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, followed by seven years of supervised release, for coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity related to his online sexual exploitation of multiple child victims overseas. Carey Lee Sackmann, 62, of Severn, received the sentence Nov. 27 at the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland in Greenbelt.

“Carey Lee Sackman’s crimes are nothing short of appalling,” said HSI Baltimore Deputy Special Agent in Charge Selwyn Smith. “Anyone who exploits children for their own perverse gratification deserves to spend every minute of their sentence in prison. HSI Baltimore will continue to aggressively pursue any individual who seeks to bring harm to innocent children.”

In addition to his prison sentence, Sackmann must pay a total of $50,000 in restitution that will be divided between his victims. Upon his release from prison, Sackmann must register as a sex offender where he lives, works or goes to school.

According to the investigation, before 2015, Sackmann engaged in video chats with facilitators in the Philippines and Madagascar who sexually exploited minor children in exchange for payment. He paid them to produce sexually explicit videos of minor children and to see livestream videos of minor children performing sexual acts with adults, other children or alone — and on more than one occasion, he took screen captures of the livestreams.

Authorities executed a search warrant on Sackmann’s residence Sept. 24, 2020, and seized several electronic devices. Forensic examinations revealed that Sackmann visited livestream pornography websites and online money remitters multiple times. His devices contained approximately 15 images and one video of suspected child sexual abuse material. Sackmann’s phone and other accounts also contained numerous chats about child sexual abuse material production.

HSI Baltimore and FBI Baltimore conducted the investigation with significant assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland.

Members of the public with any information regarding child exploitation are encouraged to report what they know to the HSI Tip Line at 866-DHS-2423 (866-347-2423). The HSI Tip Line is manned 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, 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.

Source: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE.gov)