Man pleads guilty to posing as a girl to exploit nude photos from boys

BOSTON — A Framingham man pleaded guilty Tuesday to sexually exploiting about 150 boys.

Twenty-four Curtis Simoneau posed as a teenage girl on the internet and convinced the boys to send nude photos and videos of themselves to him, said prosecutors.

The investigation began on March 7, 2016 when officers in central Massachusetts responded to a report of a possible sexual exploitation of a 13-year-old boy. The victim told officers he had begun talking with "Lauren James" via Kik messenger in December 2015.

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Simoneau, posing as Lauren James, told the victim that he was a 14-year-old Maine girl and offered to exchange nude videos and photos, said prosecutors. The boy believed he was in an online relationship with Lauren.

The victim also told officers that he had introduced his 12-year-old friend to Lauren via Kik; Lauren had also exchanged nudes with that friend. The 12-year-old confirmed that to police.

Through investigation, officers identified "Lauren" as Simoneau, who is from Framingham. Officials said Simoneau was previously convicted for possession of child pornography.

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During a search warrant at his home in August of 2016, officers said they found 1,128 videos of child pornography and 712 photos of child pornography on his digital devices. Officials said that all of the child pornography was from boys who believed they were exchanging nudes with a teenager girl; Simoneau victimized approximately 150 boys.

Simoneau pleaded guilty to two counts of coercion and enticement of a minor and one count of possession of child pornography. His sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 2, 2017.