Sex Offender Sentenced to 25 Years on Child Pornography Charges

BOSTON—An Ayer man who fled to Belize was sentenced today for producing, distributing, and possessing child pornography.

Thomas A. Donahue, 45, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV to 25 years in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release. In October 2012, Donahue pleaded guilty to producing, distributing, and possessing child pornography.

Between March 2010 and February 2011, Donahue produced, distributed, and possessed child pornography, and in February 2011, a search warrant was executed at Donahue’s apartment where a laptop computer, external hard drive, and other computer-related media were seized. A preliminary search of the devices revealed a large quantity of images and videos depicting child pornography, including pornographic videos that depicted Donahue and a minor male. An extensive investigation led to the identification of the minor male. Sometime between the execution of the search warrant and March 7, 2011, when Donahue was charged via federal complaint, Donahue fled the country. After an extensive manhunt, Donahue was tracked to Belize and was arrested in April 2011 before he was returned to the United States to face charges.

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz; Richard DesLauriers, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Boston Field Division; and Bruce Foucart, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston made the announcement today. This case was investigated with the assistance of the Bureau of Diplomatic Security Regional Security Office in Belize, and the Special Branch of the Belize Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cory S. Flashner of Ortiz’s Worcester Branch Office.