PROVIDENCE – A Hopkinton man pleaded guilty today to federal charges of distribution of child pornography and possession of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.
Christopher Leherissier, 34, admitted to a federal judge that, in February 2021, he uploaded video files of child pornography involving prepubescent children using an online messenger application account that he managed and that he stored child pornography on a mobile device.
In April 2021, the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force reviewed a report from the National Center for Missing and Expolited Children that a Kik platform user possessed and transferred child pornography. An ICAC investigation determined that an IP address, email address, and a Kik screen name untilized by Leherissier had been used to upload the images. During the execution of a court-authorized search warrant, investigators discovered multiple videos of child pornography on Leherissier’s mobile device and evidence that he used his email and Kik account to upload child pornography on February 16, 2021.
Leherissier is scheduled to be sentenced on February 16, 2023.
Distribution of child pornography is punishable by statutory penalties of 5-20 years of incarceration to be followed by a term of up to lifetime supervised release. Possession of child pornography is punishable by up to 20 years of incarceration followed a term of up to lifetime supervised release. The defendant’s sentences will be determined by a federal district judge after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dulce Donovan.
Homeland Security Investigations assisted the ICAC Task Force in the investigation of this matter.
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