Home New Haven Press Releases 2010 New London Man Arrested on Federal Child Pornography Charges
Info
This is archived material from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) website. It may contain outdated information and links may no longer function.

New London Man Arrested on Federal Child Pornography Charges

U.S. Attorney’s Office November 12, 2010
  • District of Connecticut (203) 821-3700

David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Kimberly K. Mertz, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, announced that MICHAEL L. ROARTY, 48, of Hawthorne Drive, New London, was arrested today on a federal criminal complaint charging ROARTY with possession of child pornography.

According to court documents and statements made in court, it is alleged that ROARTY used a peer-to-peer file sharing program to receive images of child pornography. In October 2008, agents with the Connecticut Computer Crimes Task Force conducted a search of ROARTY’s residence and seized two computers. Forensic analysis of the computers has revealed at least at least 148 identified images and videos of children engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

Today, ROARTY appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Donna F. Martinez in Hartford. He was released on a $25,000 bond.

If convicted of the charge of possession of child pornography, ROARTY faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 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.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Secret Service 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 Deborah R. Slater.

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.      

This content has been reproduced from its original source.