BOSTON – An Ipswich man was arrested and charged by criminal complaint today for distribution and possession of child pornography.
Julien Toulotte, 23, was charged with one count of distribution of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. Following an initial appearance this morning before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Judith G. Dein, Toulotte was detained pending a detention and probable cause hearing which is scheduled for Feb. 23, 2022.
According to the charging document, in January 2021, Toulotte began communicating with an undercover agent purporting to be a 15-year-old girl through social media applications. In February 2021, Toulotte sent videos depicting child pornography to the undercover agent. It is alleged that Toulotte also sent multiple nude photos of himself and encouraged the purported teenager to send photos of herself in return. On March 11, 2021, a search of Toulotte’s residence in Ipswich resulted in the recovery of his electronic devices that contained over 300 images and approximately 300 videos depicting child pornography – including child pornography videos of infants and children approximately two to four years of age. In November 2021, additional search warrants were executed related to this investigation.
The charge of distribution of child pornography provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 20 years in prison, a mandatory minimum of five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of possession of child pornography provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a mandatory minimum of five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the United States Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Ipswich Police Chief Paul Nikas; Boston Police Acting Commissioner Gregory Long; and Lincoln Police Chief A. Kevin Kennedy made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Sullivan Jacobus of Rollins’ Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
Members of the public who have questions, concerns or information regarding this case should call 617-748-3274.
The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identity and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.
The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.