Bellingham Man Arraigned On Child Exploitation Charges

BOSTON – A Bellingham man was arraigned today on federal charges relating to the production of child pornography.

John E. Kalinowski, 26, appeared before Chief Magistrate Judge Jennifer C. Boal on a three count federal indictment charging him with production, distribution, and possession of child pornography. Kalinowski had been arrested on similar charges on Sept. 8, 2014, following the execution of a search warrant at his Bellingham home. He has been held in federal custody since September 8.

As alleged in an affidavit filed in the case, during the execution of the search warrant in September, law enforcement agents located and seized numerous digital devices including computers, hard drives, and other media storage devices. A preliminary review of the digital media revealed numerous images of children engaged in sexually explicit conduct, including images which revealed that Kalinowski was involved in the production of that material. Law enforcement officers also recovered numerous articles of children’s undergarments from Kalinowski’s home.

The charging statutes provide maximum sentences ranging from 10 to 30 years in prison. The production charge provides a 15 year mandatory minimum term and the distribution charge provides a five year mandatory minimum term. Kalinowski also faces a potential lifetime of supervised release. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz; Shelly Binkowski, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Whitman Police Chief Scott D. Benton, and Bellingham Police Chief Gerard L. Daigle, Jr., made the announcement today. The case is being prosecuted by Kenneth G. Shine of Ortiz’s Major Crime Unit.

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 better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.

Members of the public who have questions, concerns or information regarding this case should call 617-748-3274.

The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.