David Mendum, a 46-year-old resident of Harrisville, was sentenced to 27 years in federal prison for his involvement in the sexual exploitation of minors. U.S. District Judge Paul J. Barbadoro handed down the sentence on December 10, 2025, after Mendum was convicted on one count of coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity. In addition to his prison term, Mendum will serve five years of federal supervision upon release.
Court documents and statements revealed that Mendum paid a child sex trafficker in the Philippines to create and live-stream child sexual abuse material, which he received over the internet.
“Today’s sentence reflects the profound seriousness of this crime,” said United States Attorney Erin Creegan. “By paying to watch the live-streamed sexual abuse of children, the defendant fueled the exploitation of the most vulnerable victims. Our office, together with our law enforcement partners, will seek to hold those accountable those who finance and direct the sexual abuse of children.”
Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol of Homeland Security Investigations in New England commented on the scale and impact of Mendum’s actions: “Over the course of years, Mendum paid child traffickers in the Philippines so he could watch and direct the sexual abuse of children. He did this hundreds of times, paying over $39,000. The depravity and scope of this crime are beyond comprehension. Yet our investigators and partners pursued a global investigation to identify and bring Mendum to justice for his irreparable abuse of children,” Krol said. “Today’s sentence shows just how seriously we take these crimes. We can’t give back the years stolen from the children he victimized, but with every predator we bring to justice, we gain critical intelligence and move one step closer to stopping other offenders like him.”
The Department of Homeland Security led the investigation into Mendum’s activities. Additional support came from both the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and Epping Police Department. Assistant U.S Attorney Anna Z. Krasinski prosecuted the case.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative started by the Department of Justice in 2006 that brings together federal, state, and local resources to address child exploitation crimes nationwide by identifying offenders and rescuing victims. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.
