Waterford Man Charged with Child Exploitation Offenses

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that a federal grand jury in Hartford returned an indictment today charging RICHARD BRUNO, 46, of Waterford, with one count of attempted enticement of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity, and one count of production of child pornography.

The indictment alleges that, from April 8, 2016 to May 5, 2016, BRUNO used a cellular phone and internet-based messaging and photograph sharing services to attempt to entice a minor under 18 years of age to engage in sexual activity.  The indictment further alleges that, from November 2015 through May 2016, BRUNO enticed or coerced a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a video depiction of such conduct.

If convicted, BRUNO faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life for attempted enticement of a minor, and a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life for production of child pornography.

BRUNO has been on in state custody since May 19, 2016, when he was arrested on related state charges.

U.S. Attorney Daly stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt.  Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Connecticut State Police and New London Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nancy V. Gifford.

To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com.