Resident of Charleston and West Harwich Charged with Possession of Child Pornography

BOSTON—A man with homes in Charlestown and West Harwich was arrested today by federal authorities for possession of child pornography.

Thomas J. Richardson, 67, was charged last week in a sealed indictment with possessing materials containing visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Richardson, also known as “GreatG,” is alleged to have possessed the child pornography between July and November 2008. The indictment was unsealed today after Richardson’s arrest in West Harwich. After his appearance in court today, Richardson was released on electronic monitoring.

If convicted, Richardson faces up to 10 years in prison to be followed by at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz and Richard DesLauriers, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division, made the announcement today. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Yoon of Ortiz’s Major Crimes Unit and Trial Attorney Bonnie Kane of the Department of Justice’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section.

This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In February 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from 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 indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.