Registered Sex Offender Enters Plea In Child Sex Abuse Charges

TEMPLE HILLS, MD — A registered sex offender from Prince George's County pleaded guilty Friday to two counts of transporting child sexual abuse material (CSAM) in federal court.

On Dec. 1, 2020, authorities received two CyberTips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children from Dropbox, Inc. Dropbox reported that on Nov. 1, 2020, three CSAM video files were uploaded, involving the same Dropbox account, with the username “Marcus Hunt” user ID; email address, which included the name “Marcus Hunt” embedded within the address; and IP address.

The Google account associated with the same Google email address was then deleted on Nov. 6, prior to MSP receiving the CyberTips. Dropbox disabled the account after filing the NCMEC tips. Law enforcement obtained a search warrant for the Dropbox account, which uncovered 40 videos, including the three videos Dropbox reported to NCMEC. After reviewing the files, law enforcement determined that approximately 20 of the 40 video files depicted CSAM, according to court documents.

Law enforcement traced the IP address associated with the Dropbox account to the Temple Hills home of Marcus Jerome Hunt, 32.

Then on Jan. 21, 2021, law enforcement executed search warrants at Hunt’s residence. Authorities seized multiple devices from the residence, including a Samsung cell phone, an iPhone, two tablets, two USB drives, two SD cards and a gaming PC. The gaming PC contained a desktop shortcut to The Onion Router network (Tor) browser, the Samsung cellphone was in factory reset status and one of the USB drives was reformatted, authorities disclosed.

Law enforcement also conducted keyword searches for “Dropbox” and the email address associated with the Dropbox account, locating artifacts for the keywords on the iPhone and one of the tablet devices. During questioning, Hunt admitted having a Dropbox account but denied knowing about the email address associated with the account.

Hunt faces a maximum of five years in federal prison for each count. His sentencing has been scheduled for April 29 at 10 a.m.