New Haven Resident Arrested on Federal Child Pornography Charge

David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut; Kimberly K. Mertz, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and Frank Limon, Chief of the New Haven Police Department, announced that MICHAEL MARTARANO, 31, of Livingston Street, New Haven, was arrested today by members of the Connecticut Computer Crimes Task Force, including the New Haven Police, on a federal criminal complaint charging MARTARANO with receipt and distribution of child pornography.

The complaint alleges that, between June 2007 and July 2009, MARTARANO received and distributed images of child pornography.

Following his arrest this morning at his residence, MARTARANO appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Joan G. Margolis in New Haven. MARTARANO is detained pending a detention hearing that is scheduled for August 9 at 12:00 p.m.

If convicted of the charge of receipt and distribution of child pornography, MARTARANO faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years, and a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years and a fine of up to $250,000.

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

U.S. Attorney Fein commended the work of the New Haven Police officer who is investigating this matter while assigned to the Connecticut Computer Crimes Task Force.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Connecticut Computer Crimes Task Force, which includes federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, including the New Haven Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anastasia E. King.

The Connecticut Computer Crimes Task Force investigates crimes occurring over the Internet, including computer intrusion, Internet fraud, copyright violations, Internet threats and harassment, and online crimes against children. The task force also provides computer forensic review services for participating agencies. The task force is housed in the main FBI office in New Haven, Connecticut. For more information about the task force, please contact the FBI at 203-777-6311.

U.S. Attorney Fein noted that this prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

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