New Ipswich Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of Child Pornography

Kristen Harrison-Oneal

            CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE – Christopher Hodgeman, 29, of New Ipswich, pleaded guilty in federal court on Tuesday to possession of child pornography, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.

            According to court documents and statements made in court, on or about November 28, 2018, Hodgeman began communicating with an undercover officer on a social media platform used to exchange child pornography. The officer pretended to be an uncle with a nine-year-old niece.  Hodgeman repeatedly asked the officer to send him pictures of his niece and allow him to talk to her.  Hodgeman sent images of child pornography to the officer.  Investigators traced the social media account to Hodgeman’s residence and executed a search warrant on April 15, 2019, where they seized various devices including a cellular phone.  A forensic examination of the phone revealed images of child pornography.  Hodgeman admitted to using the account, communicating with minor females online, and possessing and distributing child pornography.

            Hodgeman is scheduled to be sentenced on August 10, 2021.

            “Child pornography contains horrific images of children being exploited,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley.  “In order to protect children from exploitation and harm, we work closely with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute those who manufacture, distribute or possess child pornography.”


            “The individual in this case not only traded in child exploitation material, but also sought to make direct contact with children online. Homeland Security Investigations is committed to investigating crimes against children online to prevent their exploitation and stop predators from making contact with potential victims,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge for the Homeland Security Investigations Boston Field Office, William S. Walker.

            This matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Georgiana MacDonald.

             In February 2006, the Department of Justice introduced Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse.  Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsaf

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