Melvin Janvier, a 37-year-old resident of Newark, Delaware, has been sentenced to 135 months in federal prison for possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM). This was announced by Shannon T. Hanson, Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware. Following his prison term, Janvier will be under federal supervised release for 15 years. The sentence was delivered by U.S. District Court Judge Maryellen Noreika.
The investigation into Janvier's activities was conducted by the FBI Violent Crimes Against Children Unit with assistance from State of Delaware Probation and Parole. It began after an FBI Child Exploitation Task Force investigation revealed that Janvier was distributing CSAM via his cellphone over the Internet in July 2021.
Upon further examination, law enforcement discovered more than 2,000 files containing CSAM on Janvier’s phone. These files included images and videos of prepubescent minors, including infants and toddlers, as well as materials depicting bondage and bestiality. Previously, in 2016, Janvier had been convicted in Delaware for possession and distribution of CSAM and served four years in prison.
Acting U.S. Attorney Hanson emphasized the commitment to protecting children: “Our office is committed to protecting children and prosecuting those engaged in the sexual exploitation of minors through the possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material." She expressed gratitude towards the FBI and local law enforcement partners for their efforts on this case.
FBI Baltimore SAC William J. DelBagno commented on the severity of Janvier's actions: "There is nothing that can excuse Melvin Janvier’s sick behavior. Every one of the more than 2,000 images he possessed re-victimizes a child."
The case was investigated by both the FBI Baltimore Field Office and Washington Field Office with support from State of Delaware Probation and Parole. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Samuel S. Frey and Briana Knox led the prosecution.
This legal action is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the U.S. Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation nationwide.