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Press Release

Waterford Man Pleads Guilty to Producing Child Pornography

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

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that RICHARD BRUNO, 47, of Waterford, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Alker Meyer in New Haven to one count of production of child pornography.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on May 5, 2016, the Connecticut State Police executed search warrants at BRUNO’s residence in Waterford and at his company’s warehouse located at 19 Mountain Avenue in New London. At BRUNO’s residence, investigators seized a hard drive that was connected to a computer. Analysis of the hard drive revealed 46 homemade videos depicting nine different females engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Most of the videos depicted BRUNO engaging in sex acts with the females. One of the females was 17 years old at the time.

The investigation revealed that BRUNO was the minor victim’s landlord. BRUNO met the minor victim in approximately November 2015 and she told him she was 17. On four occasions, BRUNO videotaped the minor victim engaged in sexual acts with him at his company’s warehouse. For each of these sessions, BRUNO paid the minor victim in either marijuana or cash.

The investigation further revealed that BRUNO communicated with the victim using the Kik instant messaging application. Analysis of BRUNO’s cellphone revealed messages from BRUNO to the victim, including “If you wanted to play around I get you some mon[ey].” “Or if you let me film you for a little whi[le].”

“This defendant plied a vulnerable girl who lived in his building with marijuana and cash in exchange for sex,” said U.S. Attorney Daly. “He also filmed this reprehensible conduct, and will now be sentenced to a significant prison term. I thank the FBI, Connecticut State Police and New London Police Department for investigating this matter and protecting other girls from this predator.”

Judge Meyer scheduled sentencing for July 31, 2017, at which time BRUNO faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years.

BRUNO also has agreed not to object to the forfeiture of his company’s New London warehouse, a multi-family residence he owns at 27 West Coit Street in New London, and a van owned by his company.

Also, in a separate federal civil case (Doe v. Bruno 3:17cv217), on April, 20, 2017, the court issued a prejudgment remedy in the amount of $250,000 in the victim’s favor.

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

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.

Updated May 9, 2017

Topic
Project Safe Childhood