GREENBELT, Md. — A Silver Spring man, Chase William Mulligan, has pleaded guilty to charges related to a disturbing sextortion scheme that exploited young girls for years.
The 28-year-old faces the possibility of up to 60 years in federal prison after his guilty plea to two counts of child sexual abuse material in a federal court.
Mulligan’s case has revealed a chilling pattern of coercion and manipulation, formally outlined in a plea agreement.
Authorities allege that over a span of at least four years, Mulligan targeted and exploited more than 100 young victims, ranging in age from just 5 to 17, across various social media platforms.
These platforms included Snapchat, Discord, Roblox, Skype, Omegle, and Instagram, where Mulligan convinced minors from the United States and several countries including Canada, Denmark, Spain, the Philippines, Australia, and the United Kingdom to create and send him explicit photographs and videos.
Court documents illustrate that when victims expressed their unwillingness to continue sending explicit content, Mulligan resorted to threats, claiming he would publish the materials online or travel to their homes.
Even more shocking, the plea agreement states that he coerced some girls into committing acts of indecency, including urinating on camera and engaging in sexual acts with a dog.
Kelly O. Hayes, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced Mulligan’s guilty plea alongside William J. DelBagno, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Baltimore Field Office.
DelBagno did not hold back in his condemnation of Mulligan’s actions, labeling him a “depraved and dangerous predator.”
He emphasized that Mulligan’s heinous behavior remains unchanged despite being physically distant from his victims.
“Despite his distance, he presents a serious threat to any child he can access through the internet,” DelBagno stated.
He also underscored the diligent work of the FBI in locating and arresting predators like Mulligan to prevent them from harming innocent children.
As a result of his guilty plea, Mulligan must register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, which includes notifying authorities in areas where he lives, works, and studies.
Hayes further asserted the importance of sending a strong message to Mulligan and similar offenders, stating, “Those who abuse the most vulnerable members of our communities will pay a steep price.”
Mulligan now faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years, with the possibility of up to 60 years in federal prison.
A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for August 27.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. This initiative aims to combat the increasing problem of child sexual exploitation and abuse.
Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood uses federal, state, and local resources to identify, apprehend, and prosecute those who exploit children, as well as to rescue victims.
For more details on Project Safe Childhood and internet safety education, visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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