Quincy Man Charged with Child Pornography

BOSTON – Scot Letourneau, 42, of Quincy, was arrested and charged in federal court yesterday with receipt and possession of child pornography.  

As alleged in the charging documents, law enforcement officers learned that an individual was trading images of child pornography on “Kik Messenger,” an instant messaging app, with another individual in Connecticut.  After further investigation, law enforcement officers determined that an Internet IP address used in transmitting the contraband images was associated with Letourneau.  On May 21, 2015, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Letourneau’s home, and a preliminary review of his mobile phone revealed that he exchanged images of child pornography with others using that phone.  Investigators also learned that Letourneau had been convicted more than 10 years ago of distribution of child pornography.

In light of Letourneau’s prior conviction, the charge of receipt of child pornography provides for a mandatory minimum term of 15 years and no greater than 40 years in prison, and the charge of possession of child pornography provides for a mandatory minimum term of 10 years and no greater than 20 years in prison.  Both statutes provide for a mandatory minimum of five years and up to a lifetime 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 and Bruce M. Foucart, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, made the announcement today.  Assistance was also provided by the Connecticut State Police, the Quincy Police Department, and the U.S. Coast Guard.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth B. Orkand of Ortiz’s Major Crimes 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/.

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