Holyoke Man Charged with Possessing Child Pornography

BOSTON – A Holyoke man was charged today in U.S. District Court in Springfield with possessing child pornography.

Edward F. Dupont, 73, was charged in a criminal complaint with one count of possession of material involving the sexual exploitation of children.

According to court documents, it is alleged that on June 23, 2015, federal law enforcement agents executed a search warrant at Dupont’s residence.  Dupont waived his Miranda rights and stated during the interview that: he has a sexual interest in young children; he has used his computer to access child pornography sites on the Internet and to download child pornography images and videos; and he possessed child pornography on his home computer. 

Dupont denied ever having sexual contact with children, although he admitted that neighborhood children came over to play in his backyard and in his basement.  It is also alleged that, he had given copies of his house keys to the neighbors so that their children could come over any time they wanted, and he maintained a cupboard with games for the children to play.

During the search, federal agents seized a personal computer that contained over 16,000 images and 35 videos of child pornography.  These included four video files that depicted the rape of girls as young as five years old.  The computer also contained a 170-page manual entitled “How to practice child love”.  The manual is a professionally designed document that presents itself as “an education and a step-by-step guide for adults to engage and practice sexual relationships with underage children.”  The manual also stated, “You do not even need to leave your own house or lot to meet new children and child love candidates.  If you are bound to stay at your house, and preferably living alone, you can actually get the kids all the way to your front door – and even inside.  This might even be a very safe option too – since as soon as you get the kids inside, no one can watch your activities from outside.”

Dupont faces a maximum sentence of twenty years in prison, to be followed by a minimum of five years and a maximum lifetime term of supervised release, and a maximum fine of $250,000.  Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties.  Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz and Vincent B. Lisi, 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 Steven H. Breslow of Ortiz’s Springfield Branch Office.

The 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 exploitation and abuse.  Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.

Members of the public who have questions, concerns or information related to this case, or any information relating to the sexual exploitation of children, should call (617) 748-3274.

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