Anthony Hamel, a 25-year-old resident of Cowansville, Quebec, Canada, was sentenced on March 17 to 24 months in prison and five years of supervised release after pleading guilty to possession of child sexual abuse material involving a minor under the age of 12. The sentence was handed down by United States District Judge Mary Kay Lanthier in Rutland, Vermont.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement to address child exploitation crimes at U.S. borders and online. According to court records, Hamel attempted to enter the United States from Canada at the Morses Line Port of Entry on May 9, 2025. Customs and Border Protection officers referred him for secondary inspection based on his responses during screening. During this inspection, Hamel stated he intended to meet an 18-year-old high school student with whom he had communicated online for about six months.
A manual search of Hamel’s phone revealed suspected child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Homeland Security Investigations agents were called to assist and later conducted a more thorough search under a federal warrant. Investigators found approximately 268 videos and 33 images depicting sexual assaults of prepubescent children, toddlers, infants, and some content involving bondage or sadism.
First Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan A. Ophardt said: “Every day, Customs and Border Protection Officers protect Americans by performing vital screening functions at our Ports of Entry. This case underscores the importance of CBP’s work, and the need to vet those who cross our borders.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Lasher prosecuted the case while Assistant Federal Public Defender Barclay Johnson represented Hamel.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, a Department of Justice initiative launched in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation through coordinated federal, state, and local resources.
