Springfield man found guilty of child exploitation after investigation

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – A man from Springfield has been found guilty in connection with sexually exploiting a child on social media.

According to the Hampden District Attorney’s Office, 28-year-old Wesley Bowleg of Springfield was found guilty on August 20th of distribution of material of a child in a sexual act and furnishing liquor to a person under 21.

The investigation by the Springfield Police Department’s Special Victims Unit, Massachusetts State Police, and the Hampden District Attorney’s Office’s Special Victims Unit stemmed from an incident in August of 2019 when a video was circulating on social media depicting two underage girls being sexually assaulted by Bowleg.

Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni stated, “I hope that this verdict brings some degree of justice to the courageous victims involved in this case who were underage when these despicable offenses occurred. I thank Detective Denise Toledo from the Springfield Police Department’s Special Victims Unit and Massachusetts State Police Trooper Nicholas Pellegrino for their thoroughness and hard work in this investigation. I also thank my team, Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Vasiliades and Victim Witness Advocate Danielle Hultgren for all their hard work on this case.”

A sentencing hearing will be held for Bowleg on August 29th in Hampden County Superior Court.

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