Andover Man Convicted For Possessing Child Pornography

BOSTON – An Andover man was convicted today for possessing child pornography.

William S. Thomas, 65, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Patti B. Saris to possession of child pornography.

In October 2010, the United States Postal Service and Canadian officials began an investigation into a movie production company based out of Toronto which operated a website that offered DVDs and streaming videos for sale. The majority of these films involved young prepubescent males. In May 2011, officials executed a search warrant and seized thousands of videos, DVDs, photos, computers, business records and shipping labels. Law enforcement determined that these films were being shipped to customers worldwide, including hundreds of individuals residing in the United States. During a search of these records, officials determined that William S. Thomas of Andover was a customer and had purchased materials between 2005 and 2011.

In September 2012, a number of these items were seized from Thomas’ home following the execution of a federal search warrant. The materials seized, consisting of DVDs and photographs, contained video and photographs of prepubescent males engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 30, 2013. Thomas faces up to 10 years in prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz, Kevin Niland, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and Chief Brian J. Pattullo of the Andover Police Department, made the announcement today. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth G. Shine of Ortiz’s Major Crimes Unit.