BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
LEXINGTON — A mail carrier from Martin County pleaded guilty to child pornography charges Monday in U.S. District Court in Lexington and faces up to 50 years in federal prison.
Dustin Edward Newsome, 35, of Debord, admitted to coercing minor boys to engage in sexually explicit conduct for porn production and possession of porn.
According to court documents, Newsome traded THC vape cartridges and other items, including alcohol, for illicit images and videos from several minor boys.
The investigation began Aug. 28, 2023, when the parent of a minor victim located THC vape cartridges in her son’s room. The minor, who reported having engaged in various forms of explicit conduct with Newsome, said he was one of several victims.
The subsequent investigation revealed nine minor males ranging in age from 12 to 16 had provided explicit images or videos of themselves at Newsome’s request in exchange for money, video game currency, THC vapes and alcohol.
Many of the victims were friends with other victims, which is how they were introduced to Newsome.
Law enforcement found that Newsome befriended the victims through online gaming and social activities such as bowling, playing basketball and dining out.
Multiple victims reported that Newsome persistently begged and pestered them into sending illicit content so often that they agreed.
Authorities executed a search warrant at Newsome’s residence Aug. 29, 2023, seizing numerous electronic devices. Forensic analysis of these devices revealed recordings of live chats between Newsome and at least four of the minor boys.
Police also found several hundred additional illicit images and videos of minors on Newsome’s electronic devices. Newsome obtained these from the internet over many years beginning in 2013.
Newsome is in custody in the Clark County Detention Center and is scheduled for sentencing Jan. 6 in U.S. District Court in Pikeville.
He faces 15 to 30 years on Count 1 and up to 20 years on Count 2. He also faces a minimum of five years to lifetime supervision after imprisonment on each count.
For both Count 1 and Count 2, Newsome faces fines of up to $250,000 each.
Restitution of at least $3,000 per victim is mandatory under 18 U.S.C. § 2259, covering victims of child exploitation material. This could result in at least $27,000 in restitution, though the exact amount will be determined at sentencing.
The defendant’s base offense level is 32, with multiple enhancements:
+2 levels for involving a minor aged 12-16.
+2 levels for a sexual act/contact.
+2 levels for using a computer to solicit minors.
A Chapter 4 enhancement adds five levels because the defendant engaged in a pattern of prohibited sexual conduct involving multiple victims. However, the defendant may receive a 3-level reduction for accepting responsibility and cooperating with the authorities, leading to a lower overall offense level at sentencing.
See the related story: Police capture Martin County man wanted for human trafficking