Newton Man Charged with Possession of Child Pornography

BOSTON—A Newton man was charged today in federal court with possession of child pornography.

PETER JEPSON, 50, was charged in a criminal complaint with possession of child pornography. The criminal complaint alleges that JEPSON knowingly possessed visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct on or about June 2, 2010.

The complaint alleges that as early as 2008, JEPSON utilized multiple Internet technologies, including several social networking websites, to traffic images of child pornography. According to court documents, examination of JEPSON’s computer revealed hundreds of images of child pornography, including those depicting minors being sexually abused.

If convicted on these charges, JEPSON faces up to 10 years’ imprisonment to be followed by up to lifetime supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz; Richard DesLauriers, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation - Boston Field Division; and Bruce Foucart, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Office of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, made the announcement today. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael I. Yoon of Ortiz’s Major Crimes Unit.

This case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys' Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.

The details contained in the complaint are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.