Mercer County Man Indicted On Production Of Child Pornography Abroad, Illicit Sexual Conduct Abroad, And Possession Of Child Pornography

TRENTON, N.J. – A Mercer County, New Jersey, man, formerly of Ocean County, New Jersey – a cargo pilot who traveled abroad frequently – was indicted today for allegedly using two minors to participate in acts of child sexual abuse, which he video-recorded and imported to the United States, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Frank William Maile, 63, of Hamilton, New Jersey, and formerly of New Egypt, New Jersey, was previously arrested on May 1, 2018, by agents of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Maile is retired from the U.S. Air Force and, before his arrest, worked as a cargo pilot. A grand jury sitting in Trenton today returned a five-count indictment against Maile, charging two counts of production of child pornography abroad, two counts of illicit sexual conduct abroad, and one count of possession of child pornography.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Between Nov. 27, 2015, and Dec. 27, 2015, while in the Philippines, Maile created images and videos of two minor females engaging in multiple sex acts. Between Feb. 18, 2016, and March 28, 2016, Maile traveled to the Philippines and engaged in sexual contact with both victims, which constituted commercial sex acts because they were performed for compensation, and also created additional videos of the victims. Maile also possessed additional images of child sexual abuse in New Jersey at the time of his arrest.

The charges of producing child pornography abroad each carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of 30 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine. The charges of engaging in illicit sexual conduct in a foreign place each carry a maximum potential penalty of 30 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine. The charge of possession of child pornography carries a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the DHS Cherry Hill office, under the direction of Resident Agent in Charge Richard Reinhold, with the investigation leading to the charges. He also thanked the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer, and the Plumsted Township Police Department, under the direction of Chief Earl Meroney, for their assistance with the investigation.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elisa T. Wiygul of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Trenton.

The charges and allegations in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Anyone with information regarding possible victims of this activity is urged to contact HSI’s tip line at 866-DHS-2-ICE.

Defense counsel: Jerome A. Ballarotto Esq., Trenton