Albany Resident Indicted on Child Pornography Charges
Defendant Alleged to Have Distributed and Possessed Child Pornography

ALBANY—United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian and Clifford C. Holly, special agent in charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Albany Division, announce that LEONARD M. GAINES had his initial appearance on March 8, 2012 on an indictment charging him with distributing and possessing child pornography, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2252A(a)(2) & (a)(5)(B), respectively. Count one of the indictment charges that on or about December 19, 2011, GAINES knowingly distributed still images of child pornography. Counts two and three of the indictment charge that on or about March 2, 2012, GAINES knowingly possessed still images of child pornography. If found guilty of count one, the defendant faces a statutory sentence of at least five years’ imprisonment with a potential maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, and a maximum fine of $250,000.00. If found guilty of counts two or three, the defendant faces a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years of imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000.

GAINES, age 55, of Albany, New York, had his initial appearance on the charges in Albany on March 8, 2012 before the Honorable David R. Homer, United States Magistrate Judge. GAINES was released on conditions pending his arraignment scheduled for March 15, 2012 before the Honorable David R. Homer.

The charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rick Belliss.