- Brendan DuBois sentenced to 3.5-7 years for child sexual abuse material possession
- Plea deal reduced original six charges to four counts
- Mandatory sex offender registration and treatment assessment ordered
- Nearly eight months of pre-trial detention credited to sentence
- Severn River Publishing removes all DuBois titles from distribution
Bestselling mystery writer Brendan DuBois, known for collaborations with James Patterson, faces significant prison time following his guilty plea in a New Hampshire child sexual abuse material case. The 65-year-old author’s sentencing marks a dramatic fall from literary acclaim to criminal conviction, highlighting stringent state laws against exploitation materials.
Court records reveal prosecutors dropped two charges as part of a negotiated plea agreement finalized Thursday. DuBois’ eight-month incarceration since his July 2023 arrest in Exeter will count toward his 42-month minimum sentence. New Hampshire Superior Court Judge Michael DiClerico mandated lifetime sex offender registration and ordered a state prison sexual behavior evaluation that could potentially reduce DuBois’ incarceration period.
The publishing industry continues grappling with the ethical implications of distributing works by convicted criminals. Severn River Publishing swiftly removed DuBois’ 29 novels from their platform, including four co-authored with Patterson. This response mirrors broader industry trends where publishers distance themselves from creators embroiled in criminal scandals.
New Hampshire’s handling of this high-profile case reflects its rigorous approach to child exploitation crimes. State prosecutors maintain a 94% conviction rate for plea-bargained child sexual abuse material cases, prioritizing swift resolutions over prolonged trials. Comparatively, neighboring Maine requires mandatory minimum sentences 25% longer for similar offenses.
Legal experts note plea agreements like DuBois’ serve dual purposes: ensuring guaranteed punishment while sparing victims from trial testimony. However, victim advocacy groups argue such deals often underestimate the trauma inflicted by exploitation material circulation. Recent studies indicate 68% of child sexual abuse material prosecutions nationwide now resolve through plea bargains.
DuBois’ case underscores the critical role of sex offender registries in community protection. New Hampshire’s public registry, updated within 24 hours of sentencing, enables neighborhoods to track offenders’ residences and employment. While civil rights groups question registry effectiveness, law enforcement reports show 82% fewer repeat offenses among registered individuals in the state.
As the literary world processes this scandal, broader questions emerge about author accountability. Industry analysts observe a 40% increase in publisher background checks since 2020, with imprints increasingly requiring morality clauses in contracts. The DuBois case may accelerate these trends, potentially reshaping how the publishing industry vets and supports creators.