Child Pornography Via Snapchat Extortion Earns Lengthy Prison Sentence For Hudson Valley Sex Offender

MIDDLETOWN, NY — A Hudson Valley sex offender who continued to abuse his victims after a previous conviction will not have the opportunity to groom more children.

The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, announced that 23-year-old Cameron McEwen, of Middletown, was sentenced to 210 months in prison for receiving sexually explicit photos of a 16-year-old girl via Snapchat, and for committing the offense after having previously committed a state crime related to sexual abuse of a child.

In addition to the prison term, McEwen was sentenced to a lifetime of supervised release.

"Child pornography is a scourge on our society," Clayton. "It leaves deep and lasting scars. It turns the stomach of every parent. Cameron McEwen met his victims via social media coercing them online to send him sexually explicit pictures and videos. Wherever predators lurk, including online, our Office will use every tool available to find and prosecute them."

According to court documents, McEwen was convicted in Orange County Court on January 13, 2022, of second-degree rape, for engaging in sexual intercourse and oral sexual conduct with a child less than the age of 15.

Prosecutors say that in April 2023, McEwen used several Snapchat accounts to communicate with a 16-year-old girl and coerce her to send him sexually explicit photos of herself.

He initially threatened the victim's 18-year-old friend, telling the friend that he would release her sexually explicit photos and harm her if she did not get another person to send him additional explicit material, according to the DOJ. The friend then sought out the 16-year-old victim, who connected with McEwen on Snapchat, where he demanded sexually explicit material from her.

According to the DOJ, McEwen engaged in similar schemes with other victims.

"Cameron McEwen extorted a minor female victim with threats against her friends and family to force compliance with his perverted sexual demands," FBI Assistant Director in Charge Christopher G. Raia said. "Not only did McEwen sexually exploit a teenage girl across the country, but he continued to seek additional victims for twisted gratification. May this sentencing emphasize the FBI's commitment to protecting our vulnerable populations from sexual predators, regardless of where they may be located.”

Anyone with information about the sexual exploitation of children is urged to call 1-800-Call-FBI.

Clayton praised the efforts of FBI agents in both Alaska and New York, the New York State Police Troop F, and the Middletown Police Department. He also thanked the Ketchikan Police Department for its participation and support.

The prosecution is being handled by the Office's White Plains Division, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn Wheelock in charge of the prosecution.