Iowa Man Sentenced to 13 Years for Possession of Child Pornography and Sexual Offenses Abroad.
David Matthew Frahm, a 47-year-old resident of Iowa, has been sentenced to 156 months (13 years) in prison for possessing child pornography and engaging in illicit sexual conduct abroad. The U.S. District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands (NMI) issued the sentence on November 13, 2024. This conviction, announced by Shawn N. Anderson, United States Attorney for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, also includes five years of supervised release following Frahm’s prison term, and a mandatory $200 assessment fee. Additionally, a restitution hearing is scheduled for December 19, 2024.
Details of the Crime
David Frahm pled guilty to possessing a visual representation of a minor engaged in sexually explicit activities, which was discovered on a laptop he had abandoned in March 2019. The laptop, issued by a public school, contained disturbing images from a now-defunct Ukrainian company known for producing child pornography. This company, which masqueraded as an artistic modeling studio, was shut down nearly 20 years ago for its involvement in child exploitation.
The investigation into Frahm’s criminal activities revealed that he fled the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) after abandoning the laptop and relocated to Malaysia, where he resided unlawfully for four years. In February 2024, Frahm secretly recorded an eleven-year-old child after the child had exited the shower. This breach of U.S. laws concerning sexual offenses committed abroad led to his arrest, following a tip from the child’s acquaintances to U.S. authorities. The Royal Malaysian Police cooperated in Frahm’s apprehension, based on a warrant issued by the NMI District Court, and he was subsequently escorted back to Saipan by the FBI. Frahm was formally arrested on U.S. soil on June 8, 2024.
Sex Offender Registration and Further Legal Consequences
As part of his sentence, Frahm will be required to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA). This obligation will continue for the rest of his life, and he must register in every jurisdiction where he resides, works, or attends school upon release from prison.
Following his sentencing, the Court agreed to dismiss a third count related to Frahm’s alleged attempt to take inappropriate photos of children using a toilet in March 2019, as part of the plea agreement.
The Role of International Cooperation
David Frahm’s case underscores the importance of international collaboration in fighting transnational crimes like child exploitation. U.S. Attorney Shawn N. Anderson praised the work of the FBI and international law enforcement, stating, “Frahm preyed on children in the far corners of the Indo-Pacific region. This case demonstrates the power of multi-national partnerships in promoting public safety.” Anderson also reiterated that those who exploit children abroad will be held accountable under U.S. law.
FBI Special Agent in Charge Steven Merrill also highlighted the significance of the case, saying, “This sentence sends a clear message that crimes against children will not be tolerated. We will hold perpetrators accountable, especially those entrusted with the care of children who turn out to be sexual predators.”
Law Enforcement Collaboration
The investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with support from the CNMI Department of Public Safety and the Royal Malaysian Police. The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric O’Malley.
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