Maryland Man Facing Federal Indictment for Distribution, Receipt, Possession of Child Sex Abuse Material

Baltimore, Maryland - A federal grand jury returned an indictment, charging a Maryland man with child sex abuse crimes.

Phillip Shawn Cunningham, 53, of Abingdon, is charged with one count of distribution of child sex abuse material (CSAM), seven counts of receipt of CSAM, and two counts of possession of CSAM.

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the indictment with Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul, FBI Baltimore Field Office, and Sheriff Jeffrey R. Gahler, Harford County Sheriff's Office.

According to the indictment, between September 2025 and August 2026, Cunningham distributed, received, and possessed CSAM.

An indictment is not a finding of guilt. Individuals charged by indictment are presumed innocent until proven guilty at a later criminal proceeding.

If convicted, Cunningham faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for one count of distribution of CSAM and each of the seven counts of receipt of CSAM. Additionally, Cunningham faces a maximum of 20 years for each of the two counts of possessing CSAM.

Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge determines sentencing after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney's Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit justice.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, visit justice.gov/psc and click on the "Resources" tab on the left of the page.

U.S. Attorney Hayes commended FBI and the Harford County Sheriff's Office for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Alexandria A. Bell and Paul E. Budlow, who are prosecuting the federal case.

For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney's Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, visit justice.gov/usao-md.

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