Hyde Park Man Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography Charges

BOSTON – A Hyde Park man pleaded guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court in Boston to child pornography charges.

Geraldo Christiano DeSouza, 44, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography, one count of distribution of child pornography, one count of sexual exploitation of children and two counts of coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity.  U.S. District Court Judge George A. O’Toole scheduled sentencing for April 26, 2016.

In October 2012, law enforcement identified DeSouza after an undercover officer accessed a peer-to-peer file sharing program and discovered another user offering to share files containing child pornography.  Investigators determined that the child pornography had been distributed from DeSouza’s residential address and executed a search warrant.  The search uncovered multiple laptops and other computer media in DeSouza’s bedroom.  Forensic review of the devices revealed numerous files of child pornography as well as evidence that DeSouza had engaged in sexual activity with a minor.  Among other things, DeSouza “chatted” with his minor victims using various forms of social media and a webcam, and directed the minors to display themselves in a sexually explicit manner.  Using his cell phone, DeSouza also filmed himself having sexual intercourse with one of his minor victims.

Under the terms of the plea agreement, the parties have agreed to recommend to the Court a sentence of 15 years in prison and five years of supervised release.  Following release from prison, DeSouza will be required to register as a sex offender and will face immigration proceedings and removal from the United States.

The charge of possession of child pornography provides a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison. The charge of distribution of child pornography provides a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and no greater than 20 years in prison.  The charge of exploitation of children provides a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and no greater than 20 years in prison.  The charge of coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity each provide a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and no greater than a lifetime in prison.  All charges also provide for five years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000.  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; Matthew Etre, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Colonel Richard D. McKeon, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Boston Police Commissioner William Evans, made the announcement today.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eve A. Piemonte.

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/.