Joseph Maile, a 27-year-old man from Presque Isle, has pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Bangor to federal charges including attempted sex trafficking of a minor, enticement of a minor, and attempted enticement of a minor.
According to court records, Maile used the social media platform Snapchat in 2024 to proposition minors. He sought sexual images from them and offered money in exchange for sex with minors.
Maile now faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum of 25 years. He could also be ordered to pay a fine of up to $250,000 and could be placed on supervised release for up to the remainder of his life. Sentencing will occur after the U.S. Probation Office completes a presentence investigative report. A federal district court judge will determine the final sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other relevant statutory factors.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation that led to the charges.
This case highlights ongoing concerns about the exploitation of minors through social media platforms. Federal authorities continue to prioritize the investigation and prosecution of individuals who use the internet to target children for sexual exploitation.
No additional details about specific victims or further charges were released in the court announcement.
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