BANGOR – A Seal Cove man has been sentenced to 70 years in prison for making child pornography.

U.S. District Judge Lawrence E. Walker sentenced 28-year-old Keegan Richardson of Seal Cove on Thursday to 70 years in prison and a lifetime of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $29,000 in restitution.

Richardson pleaded guilty in October 2021 to three counts of production of child pornography, one count of transportation of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.

In July 2020, Richardson entered a private internet chat group where people traded and discussed child porn.

According to court records, while in the chatroom, Richardson told an undercover FBI agent that he had access to a young girl and shared sexually explicit images of her.

His home was later searched, and authorities found multiple sexually explicit images of the three minors that Richardson had taken with his phone. Additional child sexual abuse material involving different minors was also discovered.

“Holding those who engage in child exploitation enterprises and create child sexual abuse material accountable is and will remain a top priority for the Justice Department, the FBI and our office,” U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee said. “Keegan Richardson not only preyed on children, he callously violated three children who trusted him, causing lasting and profound damage. I can think of no greater violation, and I commend the FBI for their quick action to protect those children from further harm.”