Easthampton Man Sentenced to Over 11 Years in Prison for Distributing Child Pornography

BOSTON – An Easthampton man was sentenced today in federal court in Springfield on nine counts of child pornography offenses.

James J. Smith, 38, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to 138 months in prison and 10 years of supervised release. In February 2017, Smith pleaded guilty to six counts of distribution of child pornography, one count of transportation of child pornography, one count of receipt of child pornography, and one count of possession of child pornography. 

In January 2015, during a search of Smith’s home, law enforcement seized Smith’s cell phone, which contained approximately 110 images of child pornography, including images of a known eight-year-old girl. Smith also emailed and engaged in Craigslist correspondence with multiple people in which they discussed the sexual abuse of children.  Smith offered to distribute, and did distribute, child pornography involving children aged 10 and younger with online associates.  Smith also offered to receive, and did receive, child pornography from an individual online.   

Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Colonel Richard D. McKeon, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Northampton Police Chief Jody Kasper; and Easthampton Police Chief Robert Alberti made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alex J. Grant of Weinreb’s Springfield Branch Office prosecuted the case.