Epping Man Gets Lengthy Prison Term for Financing Online Child Abuse
A New Hampshire man has been sentenced to 27 years in federal prison after admitting to knowingly purchasing and directing live-streamed child sexual abuse material from traffickers abroad. The ruling highlights growing law-enforcement focus on online child exploitation and international trafficking networks that fuel this heinous crime.
Federal Court Delivers Severe Sentence for Exploitation
On December 10, 2025, U.S. District Judge Paul J. Barbadoro sentenced 46-year-old David Mendum of Harrisville to 324 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. Mendum had previously pleaded guilty to one count of coercion and enticement of a minor after prosecutors showed he repeatedly paid for and viewed live-streamed abuse of children
Investigators determined Mendum paid more than $39,000 over several years to traffickers in the Philippines, requesting and receiving real-time sexual abuse streams transmitted over the Internet. Authorities described the scope of his conduct as “beyond comprehension” given the number of transactions and prolonged nature of the exploitation.
Law Enforcement Emphasizes Global Child Protection Efforts
U.S. officials stressed that the sentence reflected the serious harm inflicted on the most vulnerable victims. Prosecutors and Homeland Security agents involved in the case highlighted the growing challenges of policing cross-border online abuse and the importance of international cooperation in dismantling trafficking rings.
The Department of Homeland Security led the investigation, with support from the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and local law-enforcement partners who helped trace the financial and digital evidence back to Mendum.
Part of Broader Initiative Against Child Exploitation
This prosecution is part of a nationwide effort to combat child sexual abuse and online exploitation through coordinated federal action. The initiative marshals federal, state, and local resources to identify offenders, disrupt trafficking networks, and protect victims targeted through digital platforms.
