Columbia Man’s Attempt to Arrange Sex with Child Results in Prison for Child Pornography

COLUMBIA, SC—United States Attorney W. Walter Wilkins stated today that Dennis Michael Gallipeau, age 57, of Columbia, was sentenced today in federal court for possession of child pornography, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252A. United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson, Jr., sentenced Gallipeau to 97 months' imprisonment. When he is released from prison, Gallipeau will be on supervised release for the rest of his life. In addition, he will have to register as a sex offender.

Gallipeau was targeted for investigation when he contacted an undercover police officer who was posing online as the mother of a young girl. Gallipeau engaged in several computer chats with the undercover officer and made plans to travel to Detroit, Michigan, for a sexual encounter with the daughter. As a result, federal agents confronted Gallipeau, and he agreed to allow them to examine his computer. Agents found images of child pornography, and these resulted in the charges that led to the prosecution and sentencing.

The case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Assistant United States Attorney Dean A. Eichelberger of the Columbia office handled the case. The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States 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, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.