Dale Howe, a 37-year-old resident of Andover, has been sentenced to 27 years in federal prison for producing and possessing child sexual abuse material. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Paul J. Barbadoro on November 10, 2025.
Howe was convicted on three counts of production of child sexual abuse material, receiving a sentence of 324 months’ imprisonment, and one count of possession of child pornography, for which he received 120 months’ imprisonment. Both sentences will be served concurrently. Upon release from prison, Howe will be subject to ten years of federal supervision.
United States Attorney Erin Creegan commented on the case: “Exploiting and abusing vulnerable children, and then documenting that abuse, is among the most serious crimes we prosecute. Mr. Howe’s extreme conduct fully warranted the significant sentence imposed. Our office, together with our law enforcement partners, remains steadfast in identifying and prosecuting those who prey upon children for their own gratification.”
Court documents revealed that Howe sexually assaulted a minor victim and provided drugs during the course of the abuse. He created images documenting these acts, which were discovered during a search of his phone. Some images were distributed online. Authorities also found more than 3,500 files containing unrelated child sexual abuse material in his possession.
Michael J. Krol from Homeland Security Investigations New England stated: “The scope of Howe’s crimes is staggering and deeply troubling. He not only possessed child sexual abuse materials but became a hands-on offender, drugging and assaulting a child. The horrific abuse Howe inflicted upon his victim cannot be undone, but this sentence puts Howe behind bars and away from children for over a decade. We hope that this significant sentence brings some measure of justice to those who have been impacted by his crimes.”
The investigation involved Homeland Security Investigations, the Andover Police Department, New Hampshire State Police, Merrimack County Sheriff’s Office, New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and Derry Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Heather Cherniske and Anna Krasinski prosecuted the case.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood—a national initiative launched by the Department of Justice in 2006 to protect children from exploitation and abuse by coordinating resources at all levels to locate offenders and rescue victims. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.
