26 Years In Prison For MA Man Who Sexually Abused Girl, 12

BOSTON, MA — A Lawrence man could spend more than 25 years in federal prison after he sexually abused a 12-year-old just months after being released from state prison on similar child sex abuse charges.

Irvin Abreu, 38, pleaded guilty one year ago to a single federal charge of sexual exploitation of a child. He was sentenced last week to more than 26 years in federal prison.

According to federal prosecutors, Abreu began abusing the 12-year-old two months after exiting state prison — and registering as a sex offender — after serving time for abuse of a 15-year-old. He met the 12-year-old online, and then began documenting his abuse of her, prosecutors said.

"The victim’s mother discovered communications between them and immediately reported the matter to local police. Forensic analysis of Abreu’s phone revealed photos, videos and text messages, including imagery depicting his sexual abuse of and sexualized communications with the victim," the U.S. Attorney's office for the District of Massachusetts said in a news release.

Abreu also conducted internet searches for locations of elementary schools around Lawrence, and searched for the term "first time sex positions for virgins," prosecutors said.

Upon release from federal prison, Abreu will have to serve 10 years of supervised release, prosecutors said.