Metairie Man Indicted for Possessing Materials Involving Sexual Exploitation of Minors

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - MICHAEL DUHE, JR. ("DUHE"), age 21, of Metairie, Louisiana was charged on June 18, 2026, in a two count indictment for Transportation of Materials Involving the Sexual Exploitation of Minors, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2252(a)(1), (b)(1), and Possession of Materials Involving the Sexual Exploitation of Minors, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2252(a)(4)(B), (b)(2), announced U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle. If convicted, DUHE faces a mandatory minimum sentence of not less than five (5) years and a maximum sentence of twenty (20) years, and/or a fine of up to $250,000.00, a term of supervised release of not less than five (5) years and up to life, after his release from prison. He also faces payment of a mandatory $200 special assessment fee.

According to the indictment, beginning on or about December 4, 2024, DUHE did knowingly transport, and attempt to transport, in interstate and foreign commerce, a visual depiction involving the use of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Also, beginning at an unknown time, and continuing until or about January 16, 2026, DUHE knowingly possessed images and videos depicting the sexual victimization of minors.

Through a partnership between state and federal authorities, the U.S. Attorney's Office adopted the state charges and is now prosecuting DUHE in federal court.

U.S. Attorney Courcelle reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

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 United States Attorney's Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

U.S. Attorney Courcelle praised the work of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations and the Louisiana Bureau of Investigations. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba, Project Safe Childhood Coordinator and Chief of the Financial Crimes Unit.

* * *