Staff reports 4:04 a.m.
Tuesday, December 20, 2022 4:04 am

CONCORD - A Somersworth man has been sentenced to 66 months in federal prison for distribution and possession of child sexual abuse materials, the U.S. Attorneys Office announced on Monday.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between June and September 2021, federal and state law enforcement officers investigated the online child sexual exploitation activities of Mark E. Butler, 46, who used various social media applications to share child sexual abuse materials.

For example, on Sept. 23, 2021, Butler distributed a one-minute video depicting a prepubescent child engaged in sexual conduct to an undercover agent.

On Oct. 13, 2021, investigators executed a federal search warrant to seize electronic devices used by Butler to distribute and possess child sexual abuse materials. Butler admitted that he used the internet to obtain child sexual abuse materials. Subsequent forensic analysis of Butler's Apple iPhone and evidence obtained from a cloud storage service provider confirmed Butler's use of several social media applications, emails, and text messages to send child sexual abuse materials to other individuals.

In addition to his sentence, Butler was sentenced to five years of supervised release following his release from prison and a $6,000 restitution payment.