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Press Release

Mechanicville Man Indicted On Child Pornography Charges

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of New York

Alleged Production of Child Pornography

ALBANY, NEW YORK – A grand jury returned an indictment charging ROBERT McLAUGHLIN, age 57, of Mechanicville, New York, with two counts of production of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian.1 McLAUGHLIN faces up to 30 years of imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000 on each count.

McLAUGHLIN had his initial appearance and arraignment on the charges in Albany today before the Honorable Christian F. Hummel, United States Magistrate Judge. McLAUGHLIN was detained pending resolution of the charges.

According to the indictment, between 2012 and 2014, McLAUGHLIN engaged in sexually explicit conduct with two young girls and also produced visual depictions of such conduct.

This case is being investigated by the New York State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lisa M. Fletcher and Special Assistant United States Attorney Amanda W. Cox.

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 better 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 “resources” tab.

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1The charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Updated January 29, 2015