Scott Wilkinson, 38, from Concord, New Hampshire, has pleaded guilty to charges related to the exploitation of a minor in New Jersey. Announced by U.S. Attorneys Philip Sellinger and Jane E. Young, Wilkinson pleaded guilty in a federal court in New Hampshire to one count of producing child [censored]ography and one count of possessing child sexual abuse material.
The case was presided over by U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Laplante.
According to court documents and statements, Wilkinson had been communicating online with a 12-year-old child for approximately a year before traveling from New Hampshire to New Jersey in April 2022. During his visit, he engaged in sexual acts with the minor.
Authorities discovered a video on Wilkinson’s cell phone that showed him involved in sexual acts with the child, as well as other images and videos containing child sexual abuse material.
The charge of production of child [censored]ography carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years, with the possibility of up to 30 years in prison. The charge of possession of child [censored]ography is punishable by a maximum of 10 years, extendable to 20 years if the court finds that the material involved a child under the age of 12.
Wilkinson also faces up to $250,000 in fines for each count.