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United States of America v. Darius Matylewich
Date: 07-07-2025
Case Number: 1:23-cr-00102
Judge: JlH
Court: The United States District Court for the District of Delaware (New Castle County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: The United States Attorney’s Office in Wilmington
Defendant's Attorney: Ryan Grace
Description:
Delaware Man Sentenced To 240 Months For Coercing 11-Year-Old New Jersey Resident To Travel To Delaware For Sexual Activity
The Honorable Jennifer L. Hall sentenced Darius Matylewich, 27, to a period of 240 months of incarceration for coercion and enticement of a minor.
The FBI arrested Matylewich after he removed an 11-year-old from her New Jersey home and travelled with her to his Bear, Delaware home to engage in sexual activity. On September 10, 2023, the Wayne Township, New Jersey Police Department ("WTPDâ€) received a report of a missing 11-year-old girl ("the Victimâ€). Through investigative measures, WTPD determined that Matylewich took the Victim from her New Jersey home to his home in Bear, Delaware. The FBI, with assistance from WTPD and the New Castle County Police Department, safely recovered the Victim and arrested Matylewich.
A subsequent investigation revealed that Matylewich met the 11-year-old Victim on the internet and communicated with the Victim via online video games and social media platforms. A forensic analysis of Matylewich's cellphone and social media uncovered message threads in which Matylewich coerced the 11-year-old Victim to perform sexual acts, and, in turn, produce child pornography for him. Investigators also recovered messages in which Matylewich described covertly watching and following the Victim near her New Jersey home.
Matylewich also used an application on his phone to covertly record conversations, videos, and images of the Victim performing sexual acts that Matylewich solicited from her. Unbeknownst to the Victim, Matylewich then stored videos and images of her within the "hidden†folder of his phone, which could only be accessed via facial recognition.
Acting U.S. Attorney Steinberg stated, "This sentence sends a clear message: those who harm the community's most vulnerable will be held fully accountable for their actions. This sentence also reflects the dedication and cooperation of local, state, and federal law enforcement. We commend the FBI and the Wayne Township and New Castle County Police Departments, who acted swiftly to return the Victim to her family and ensure justice was served. We hope this outcome brings a measure of closure to the Victim and her family.â€
"Nothing can erase the harm Matylewich inflicted on an innocent child. With this lengthy sentence, he is being held accountable for his appalling abuse. Stopping predators like Matylewich from harming children remains a top priority of the FBI and our partners. Let this sentence be a warning to others seeking to take advantage of kids through online video games or social media, you will pay for your crimes,†said FBI Baltimore Acting Special Agent in Charge Amanda M. Koldjeski.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin P. Pierce and Michelle Thurstlic-O'Neill. The case was investigated by the FBI's Delaware Violent Crime and Safe Streets Taskforce with assistance from the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office, Wayne Township New Jersey Police Department, New Castle County Police Department, and the U.S. Marshals Service.
Wilmington, Delaware criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with coercion and enticement of a minor.
Delaware Man Sentenced To 240 Months For Coercing 11-Year-Old New Jersey Resident To Travel To Delaware For Sexual Activity
The Honorable Jennifer L. Hall sentenced Darius Matylewich, 27, to a period of 240 months of incarceration for coercion and enticement of a minor.
The FBI arrested Matylewich after he removed an 11-year-old from her New Jersey home and travelled with her to his Bear, Delaware home to engage in sexual activity. On September 10, 2023, the Wayne Township, New Jersey Police Department ("WTPDâ€) received a report of a missing 11-year-old girl ("the Victimâ€). Through investigative measures, WTPD determined that Matylewich took the Victim from her New Jersey home to his home in Bear, Delaware. The FBI, with assistance from WTPD and the New Castle County Police Department, safely recovered the Victim and arrested Matylewich.
A subsequent investigation revealed that Matylewich met the 11-year-old Victim on the internet and communicated with the Victim via online video games and social media platforms. A forensic analysis of Matylewich's cellphone and social media uncovered message threads in which Matylewich coerced the 11-year-old Victim to perform sexual acts, and, in turn, produce child pornography for him. Investigators also recovered messages in which Matylewich described covertly watching and following the Victim near her New Jersey home.
Matylewich also used an application on his phone to covertly record conversations, videos, and images of the Victim performing sexual acts that Matylewich solicited from her. Unbeknownst to the Victim, Matylewich then stored videos and images of her within the "hidden†folder of his phone, which could only be accessed via facial recognition.
Acting U.S. Attorney Steinberg stated, "This sentence sends a clear message: those who harm the community's most vulnerable will be held fully accountable for their actions. This sentence also reflects the dedication and cooperation of local, state, and federal law enforcement. We commend the FBI and the Wayne Township and New Castle County Police Departments, who acted swiftly to return the Victim to her family and ensure justice was served. We hope this outcome brings a measure of closure to the Victim and her family.â€
"Nothing can erase the harm Matylewich inflicted on an innocent child. With this lengthy sentence, he is being held accountable for his appalling abuse. Stopping predators like Matylewich from harming children remains a top priority of the FBI and our partners. Let this sentence be a warning to others seeking to take advantage of kids through online video games or social media, you will pay for your crimes,†said FBI Baltimore Acting Special Agent in Charge Amanda M. Koldjeski.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin P. Pierce and Michelle Thurstlic-O'Neill. The case was investigated by the FBI's Delaware Violent Crime and Safe Streets Taskforce with assistance from the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office, Wayne Township New Jersey Police Department, New Castle County Police Department, and the U.S. Marshals Service.
Outcome:
240 months of incarceration
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments:
About This Case
What was the outcome of United States of America v. Darius Matylewich?
The outcome was: 240 months of incarceration
Which court heard United States of America v. Darius Matylewich?
This case was heard in The United States District Court for the District of Delaware (New Castle County), DE. The presiding judge was JlH.
Who were the attorneys in United States of America v. Darius Matylewich?
Plaintiff's attorney: The United States Attorney’s Office in Wilmington. Defendant's attorney: Ryan Grace.
When was United States of America v. Darius Matylewich decided?
This case was decided on July 7, 2025.