Waltham Man Charged with Child Pornography

BOSTON – A Waltham man was arrested yesterday and charged in U.S. District Court in Boston in connection with receipt and possession of child pornography.

Christopher J. Sullivan, 20, was charged in a criminal complaint with one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. Sullivan is scheduled to appear before U.S. District Court Chief Magistrate Judge Jennifer C. Boal for a detention hearing on Friday May 20, 2016.

According to the complaint, law enforcement learned that Sullivan used Skype to engage in sexually explicit conversations with young boys and also to exchange sexually explicit pictures with them.  In December 2015, one victim, a 10-year-old boy from Oregon, forwarded pictures of his genitalia to Sullivan. During an interview with law enforcement yesterday, Sullivan admitted to speaking with over 50 boys and receiving over 200 sexually explicit pictures on web-based platforms including Omgele, Skype and Kik Messenger. Sullivan also admitted engaging in sexual acts with a boy.

The charging statute provides for a minimum mandatory sentence of five years and no greater than 20 years in prison, a lifetime of supervised release and a 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 Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division.  The Waltham Police Department assisted with the investigation.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth G. Shine of Ortiz’s Major Crimes Unit.

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