U.S. Attorney Charges Convicted Sex Offender On Probation With Sexual Exploitation Of A Minor And Making Extortionate Interstate Communications

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today the arrest of CAMERON MCEWEN, a 21-year-old convicted sexual offender, in Middletown, New York.  The Complaint charges that MCEWEN persuaded a 16-year-old girl living in Alaska (“Victim-1”) to engage in sexually explicit activity, take photos and videos of herself doing so, and transmit the photos and videos, via Snapchat, to MCEWEN.  MCEWEN threatened to hack into Victim-1’s cell phone and Snapchat account if she did not comply with his demands.  MCEWEN was presented yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Paul E. Davison in White Plains federal court and detained without bail. 

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Cameron McEwen was on probation following a previous conviction for rape when he allegedly continued to commit sexually abusive and vile crimes, including with a minor victim.  This case underlines the urgent need for law enforcement to continue its efforts to protect children from those who prey on them, and this Office is committed to safeguarding children from these predators.”  

According to the criminal Complaint filed yesterday in White Plains Federal Court:[1]

In April 2023, MCEWEN knowingly used a social media platform to communicate with and entice Victim-1, as well as send extortionate interstate threats to Victim-1. 

MCEWEN, using Snapchat display names “X,” “Cam,” and “fendii.kashout,” and posing as multiple different people, initially connected on Snapchat with an 18-year-old individual, who he offered to pay for sexually explicit images and videos.  When that individual sent MCEWEN the requested content, he threatened to leak the images and videos to the individual’s family and friends and harm her if she did not find another person to send MCEWEN sexually explicit material. 

The individual sought out Victim-1, who connected with MCEWEN on Snapchat.  MCEWEN then began sending Victim-1 messages threatening to hack Victim-1’s Snapchat account and cell phone if she did not send him sexually explicit photos and videos.

CAMERON MCEWEN, a/k/a “X,” a/k/a “Cam,” a/k/a “dzys.world,” a/k/a “itsbeendrippy,” a/k/a “fendii,” a/k/a “fendii.kashout,” was convicted in Orange County Court on January 13, 2022, of rape in the second degree and was on New York State probation when he committed the alleged offenses charged herein.

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CAMERON MCEWEN, 21, of Middletown, New York, is charged with one count of sexual exploitation of a minor, which carries a maximum sentence of 50 years in prison, and one count of making extortionate interstate communications, which carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison. 

The statutory maximum penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant would be determined by the judge.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) agents in both Alaska and New York, the New York State Police Troop F, and the Middletown Police Department.  He also thanked the Ketchikan Police Department for its participation and support in this ongoing investigation. 

Mr. Williams stated that the investigation is ongoing and requests that any individuals with information concerning CAMERON MCEWEN and any individuals who may have encountered someone using the Snapchat user names “X,” “Cam,” “dzys.wlrd,” “itzbeendrippy,” “fendii,” and “fendii_kashout,” please contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI and reference this case. 

The prosecution is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kathryn Wheelock and Marcia S. Cohen and are in charge of the prosecution.  

The allegations contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.