Douglas Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of Child Pornography

BOSTON - A Level 2 sex offender from Douglas pleaded guilty today in federal court in Worcester to possession of child pornography.

Bryan Larson, 45, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography. U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman scheduled sentencing for Feb. 12, 2018. Larson is a Level 2 sex offender, having been previously convicted of multiple counts of rape of a child. 

Authorities learned that an individual residing in Larson’s residence attempted to receive child pornography in late May and early June 2015. Subsequently, a federal search warrant was executed at Larson’s home, where thousands of image and video files depicting child pornography were recovered. During the search, Larson fled but turned himself in two days later.

The charging statute provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to 20 years in prison, a minimum of five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.          

Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb; Michael Shea, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Colonel Kerry A. Gilpin, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Douglas Police Chief Nick Miglionico made the announcement today. Members of the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section assisted with the apprehension of Larson. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karin M. Bell, Chief of Weinreb’s Worcester Branch Office, is prosecuting the case.

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 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/.