Ledyard Man Charged with Child Exploitation Offense

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), New England, today announced that JASON GIBSON, 45, of Ledyard, has been charged by federal criminal complaint with a child exploitation offense.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, in February 2020, Gibson was convicted in state court of possession of child pornography and sentenced to 10 years of incarceration, suspended after 30 months, and 10 years of probation.  He was released from state custody in January 2021.  In April 2023, Gibson’s probation was revoked for violating the conditions of his release and he was sentenced to 90 months of incarceration, suspended after six months, and 94 months of probation.  He was released from state custody in August 2023.

It is further alleged that on March 6, 2024, state probation officers made a routine home visit to Gibson’s residence and seized an unapproved cellphone that also contained a dark web application.  Subsequent analysis of the phone revealed more than 200 child sex abuse images and videos, and numerous text messages with links to access child pornography on the dark web.  On April 2, 2025, probation officers made another home visit to Gibson’s residence and seized an external hard drive.  Analysis of the hard drive revealed more than 18,000 images and 1,400 videos depicting child sex abuse.

The complaint charges Gibson with possession of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  The penalties in this matter are enhanced because of Gibson’s prior state convictions.

Gibson has been detained in state custody since April 2, 2025.  He made his initial appearance today in Hartford federal court.

U.S. Attorney Sullivan stressed that a complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  Charges are only allegations and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This investigation is being conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the New Haven Police Department, with the assistance of the Town of Groton Police Department and the Connecticut Court Support Services Division – Adult Probation Services.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel P. Gordon through 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.justice.gov/psc.

To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com.