Mailman admits forcing teenagers to send him explicit pictures and videos

PIKEVILLE, Kentucky – A Martin County man has pleaded guilty in a federal child pornography case after admitting to coercing teens to send him explicit videos.

Dustin Newsome, 35, of Debord, pleaded guilty Monday to coercing a minor to engage in sexually explicit acts for child pornography and possession of child pornography.

The case came to investigators' attention in August when a mother reported finding THC vaping cartridges in her son's room. When questioned, the son admitted to receiving the cartridges, alcohol, a cellphone and other valuables from a mail carrier, later identified as Newsome, in exchange for sending explicit pictures and videos.

As the investigation continued, police learned that a total of nine boys between the ages of 12 and 16 provided Newsome with images and videos in exchange for THC vaporizers, alcohol, money and video game currency.

When police searched Newsome's home, they found recordings of at least four of the boys, as well as hundreds of child pornography images and videos.

Newsome faces up to 30 years in prison for the coercion charge and up to 20 years for the child pornography charge when he is sentenced in January. He could also be fined up to $67,000 and ordered to pay at least $3,000 in restitution to each of the nine victims.