United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

Project Safe Childhood: MANSFIELD MAN ARRESTED ON FEDERAL CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CHARGE

David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Bruce M. Foucart, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations office in Boston, announced that JAMES LEONARD KEY, 38, of Atwoodville Road, Mansfield, was arrested today by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on a federal criminal complaint charging KEY with possession of child pornography.

The complaint alleges that, in August 2009, an Internet Protocol (IP) address, which was subsequently identified as belonging to KEY, accessed a web site in the Netherlands and downloaded at least one image of child pornography.  On October 19, 2010, ICE agents seized two laptop computers and an external hard drive from KEY’s residence.  Preliminary forensic examination of the computers and hard drive has revealed in excess of 100 images and videos of children engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

Following his arrest this morning at his residence, KEY appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Donna F. Martinez in Hartford.  KEY was released on a bond in the amount of $100,000, which is co-signed by family members.  He will be subject to electronic monitoring by the U.S. Probation Office while this matter is pending.

If convicted of the charge of possession of child pornography, KEY 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 U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Hartford with the assistance of the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, Cyber Crimes Center, Child Exploitation Section; the European Law EnforcementAgency (EUROPOL) and the Dutch National Police.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Deborah R. Slater.

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.

CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov