ICE investigation into child sex predator receiving 30-year prison sentence
ICE Homeland Security Investigations recently concluded a probe in Maryland that resulted in the sentencing of a man who used his position of authority to sexually abuse a 2-year-old child and produce and distribute child sex abuse material online. The man, identified as Mark Rice, 38, was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison and a lifetime of supervised release by U.S. District Judge Ellen Lipton Hollander as part of a plea deal.
According to a statement by the Department of Justice, Rice pleaded guilty to one count of producing child sexual abuse material, one count of distributing child sexual abuse material, and one count of possessing child sexual abuse material. The charges against him stemmed from his sexual abuse of two minors in his care, as well as his use of social media platforms such as Reddit, Telegram, and Kik to distribute materials depicting his victims and solicit and access materials depicting other children.
The investigation into Rice began in April 2023 when the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a cyber tip from Reddit regarding the distribution of child sexual abuse material. Authorities traced the tip to an IP address associated with Rice’s residence in Elkton, Maryland. Maryland State Police questioned Rice about the abuse materials, and despite initially denying the allegations, he was later observed deleting photos from his phone. When officers examined his phone, they discovered child sexual abuse material in a thumbnail image and additional material in his recently deleted folder.
ICE Homeland Security Investigations found over 600 child sexual abuse images across Rice’s devices. Investigators also uncovered that Rice used Reddit to connect with individuals with whom he traded abuse materials using encrypted messaging platforms. The abuse of one of the victims began when she was less than 3 years old, with photographic evidence documenting his abuse of another minor.
ICE HSI Baltimore Special Agent in Charge Michael McCarthy emphasized that the sentencing of Rice serves as a reminder that those who exploit and abuse children will be relentlessly pursued and held accountable. U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, Kelly Hayes, referred to Rice as a dangerous predator and emphasized the commitment to aggressively prosecuting individuals who sexually abuse children and participate in networks that perpetuate such exploitation.
The sentencing of Mark Rice highlights the efforts of law enforcement agencies to combat child sexual abuse and hold perpetrators accountable. The collaboration between agencies like ICE HSI and the Department of Justice underscores the commitment to protecting the most vulnerable members of society and seeking justice for victims of these heinous crimes.
