Staff reports 5:30 a.m.
Thursday, December 11, 2025 5:34 am

CONCORD - A Harrisville man was sentenced on Wednesday to 27 years in prison for his conduct involving the sexual exploitation of minors.

David Mendum, 46, was sentenced on one count of coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity, according to a Tuesday release from the U.S. Attorneys Office. The Court also sentenced Mendum to 5 years of federal supervision following his release from prison.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Mendum was paying a child sex trafficker in the Philippines to create live-stream child sexual abuse material and transmit it to him over the internet.

"Today's sentence reflects the profound seriousness of this crime," said United States Attorney 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."

"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," said Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol of Homeland Security Investigations in New England. "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. The New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Epping Police Department provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S Attorney Anna Z. Krasinski is prosecuting the case.