FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC at 410-209-4885
July 17, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BEL AIR MAN SENTENCED TO 30 YEARS IN PRISON FOR SEXUALLY EXPLOITING
A 5 YEAR OLD GIRL TO PRODUCE VIDEOS
BALTIMORE, Maryland - Brian Edward Dotson, age 45, of Bel Air, Maryland pleaded guilty today to sexually exploiting a minor to produce child pornography, and possession of child pornography, and was sentenced to 30 years in prison followed by supervised release for life, announced United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein.
United Stated Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein stated, “Sexual predators often prey on the trust of a child’s family and friends in order to sexually abuse the child. To protect our children from the terrible harm inflicted upon them, we must speak out about the depth of the depravity of this criminal activity.”
Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Baltimore Field Office William D. Chase stated, "Today's conviction and sentence emphasizes the importance the FBI places on investigations relating to the victimization of children. The FBI is committed to reducing the vulnerability of children to acts of sexual exploitation and abuse."
According to the plea agreement presented to the court, from March 5 to September 23, 2005, Dotson produced 4 videotapes of himself engaging in sexually explicit conduct with a 5 year old girl who was in Dotson’s care. Dotson installed a 'web cam' device to his Sony laptop computer in his bedroom. The videos include images of Dotson engaged in sexual intercourse with the minor female.
On September 23, 2005, Dotson pawned the Sony laptop computer at a shop in Edgewood, Maryland for $150. The pawn shop owner sold and shipped the computer to his brother. The brother subsequently advised the shop owner that he had discovered a number of images on the computer depicting an adult male engaging in sexually explicit conduct with a young girl. After authorities were contacted, the computer was shipped back to the pawn shop. The shop owner then turned the laptop over to law enforcement.
In addition, Dotson possessed a still photograph and another video depicting minor children engaged in sexually explicit conduct on the laptop and another computer. Both the photograph and video were of previously identified child victims.
On December 8, 2005, the Harford County Sheriff’s Office charged Dotson with sex abuse of a minor, second degree rape, second degree sex offense and fourth degree sex offense. Later that same day, Maryland State Police arrested Dotson on those charges and he has been held without bond pending these state charges.
Dotson has also agreed to plead guilty to the charges in the Circuit Court for Harford County in return for a sentence of 35 years to run concurrently to the sentence to be imposed in this case.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the investigative work performed by the Harford County Child Advocacy Center, working with the Harford County Sheriff’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Maryland State Police. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Tamera Fine and Ty Kelly Kowitz, who are prosecuting the case.
This page last modified—July 17, 2006