Convicted sex offender John Corbin, 60, of Windham, pleaded guilty Tuesday to multiple counts of possessing child pornography and disseminating an sexually explicit image via the Internet.
Corbin’s sentencing is scheduled for next month when prosecutors are seeking a maximum 10-year jail sentence for disseminating child pornography and a lifetime probation for possession of the sexually-explicit images.
“As a matter of public safety, we feel (Corbin) should be on probation for the rest of his life,” said Assistant District Attorney Julia Sheridan who is prosecuting the case.
Police arrested Corbin in February of 2005 after an extensive investigation and discovery of more than a hundred images of child pornography on his home computer at 5 Drako Lane off Pope Road.
In August of 2004, a Pennsylvania undercover detective alerted Windham police to Corbin’s activities.
The detective infiltrated an Internet chat room and began an online relationship with Corbin. The detective and Corbin exchanged “Instant Messages” during which the detective was able to obtain detailed information on Corbin as well as a phone number.
During the course of the instant messaging, Corbin e-mailed a pornographic image of a 5-year-old child having sexual relations with an adult male. After receiving the image, the Pennsylvania detective contacted Windham police to report Corbin’s alleged possession and dissemination of child pornography.
Four years ago, Corbin moved from California to Maine and has been living in Windham since March 15, 2002. He is a registered Maine sex offender for three prior convictions in California including “lewd and lascivious acts upon a child under 14 years of age” as well as indecent exposure.
After suspicion that Corbin was attempting to relocate to Denmark while under investigation last February, police placed Corbin under close supervision after he posted $200,000 bail last spring.
While awaiting court, Corbin was restricted from leaving Cumberland County without giving prior notice to police. Since his alleged acts stem from e-mailing pornographic images of children, Corbin was not allowed to own or use a computer or have contact with anyone under the age of 18.
These conditions still remain as Corbin awaits next month’s sentencing.
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