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Press Release

Easthampton Man Agrees to Plead Guilty to Distributing Child Pornography

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Massachusetts

BOSTON – An Easthampton man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Springfield to child pornography charges.

 

James J. Smith, 38, pleaded guilty to six counts of distribution of child pornography, one count of transportation of child pornography, one count of receipt of child pornography, and one count of possession of child pornography. U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni scheduled sentencing for May 4, 2017.

 

In January 2015, Smith’s cell phone, which was recovered during a search of his home, was found to contain approximately 110 images of child pornography, including images of a known eight-year-old girl. Smith also emailed and engaged in Craigslist correspondence with multiple people in which they discussed the sexual abuse of children. Smith offered to distribute, and did distribute, child pornography involving children aged ten and younger with his online associates. Smith also offered to receive, and did receive, child pornography from an online associate.

 

If the Court accepts the plea agreement, Smith will be sentenced to between 120 months and 151 months in prison and 10 years of supervised release. 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.

 

Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Colonel Richard D. McKeon, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Northampton Police Chief Jody Kasper; and Easthampton Police Chief Robert Alberti, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alex J. Grant of Weinreb’s Springfield Branch Office is prosecuting the case.

Updated February 8, 2017

Topic
Project Safe Childhood