Violent Massachusetts Level 3 sex offender sentenced to prison on more charges involving children

BOSTON – A Level 3 sex offender from Harwich, with prior violent convictions involving minor victims, was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

According to the Massachusetts Department of Justice, 37-year-old Jonathan Fleischmann was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs to 10 years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release. Fleischmann was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $7,500. In July 2024, Fleischmann pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography.

“Despite his prior predatory behavior and the fact that he was already facing serious charges in state court – charges that involved ambushing and attempting to kidnap a young girl at gunpoint outside her home – this defendant continued to demonstrate a complete disregard for the safety and well-being of children by downloading hundreds of atrocious CSAM from the dark web. Each image and video he viewed or shared re-victimized the real, vulnerable children depicted in them. These crimes do not exist in a vacuum; they cause significant harm to the children and families affected,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. “Today’s sentence reflects the seriousness with which we treat these crimes and our commitment to protecting children from individuals like Mr. Fleischmann, who refuse to learn or take steps toward remediating their vile tendencies.”

“Over and over, Fleischman committed deeply disturbing sex crimes aimed at children. For years, he has been a threat to the community but after today’s sentence, he will be off the streets for a decade,” said Homeland Security Investigations New England Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol. “Child sexual abuse material immortalizes the abuse of a child and those who download, trade, and possess CSAM are perpetuating the trauma those children experienced. We are committed to protecting kids and seeking justice for those victimized through child exploitation.”

Fleishmann is a Level 3 sex offender due to prior convictions in Barnstable District Court of Indecent Assault and Battery on a Child Under 14 in 2006, as well as Open and Gross Lewdness and Possession of Child Pornography in 2017 for masturbating to CSAM in a Honey Dew Donuts parking lot.

Additionally, in September 2020, Fleischmann was charged in Barnstable Superior Court with home invasion, armed kidnapping and assault to rape for invading a Yarmouth home and forcibly taking a 16-year-old female at gunpoint into her house as she arrived home from school. That investigation also revealed that Fleishmann had accessed a dark web hidden service on his cellphone dedicated to the trafficking of child pornography. He was later released in April 2021 on conditions including cash bail and GPS monitoring.

Fleischmann is prohibited from possessing digital devices due to his prior convictions.

On March 18, 2023, law enforcement was notified that Fleischmann was observed downloading suspected CSAM media files onto a cell phone at his workplace in Brewster. Specifically, while the phone was left open and charging on a counter, Fleischmann’s co-workers saw that it displayed media files in the process of downloading, with file names that were consistent with CSAM.

When approached by law enforcement at his residence later that day, Fleishmann initially denied owning the cell phone but eventually agreed to produce it – retrieving the device from a hidden location beneath a bathroom sink. A subsequent search of the cell phone revealed approximately 255 image files and 55 video files depicting CSAM – including files portraying child rape, sadistic or masochistic conduct and the abuse of infants or toddlers.

Fleischmann has remained in federal custody since his May 2023 arrest in this case. In May 2024, Fleischmann was sentenced to 12 years in state prison in connection with the Yarmouth home invasion. Following today’s hearing, the defendant was released into state custody to serve the 12-year state sentence, which will run concurrently with the federal sentence imposed today.

U.S. Attorney Foley and HSI SAC Krol made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Cape & Islands District Attorney’s Office and the Brewster Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Luke A. Goldworm of the Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.

            This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims.