Shrewsbury Man Arrested for Child Pornography Offenses

BOSTON – A mentor for the Shrewsbury High School Robotics Team was arrested today for allegedly possessing and transporting child pornography. 
    
Brian Lingard, 60, of Shrewsbury was charged with transportation of and possession of child pornography. He was arrested this morning and will appear in federal court in Worcester at 3:45 p.m. today before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge David H. Hennessy.
    
According to the complaint affidavit, on Oct. 19, 2023, Lingard flew from Paris to Boston. During a customs screening, it is alleged that Lingard was found to possess images depicting child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on his phone. A subsequent search of devices stored at Lingard’s residence revealed an additional collection of alleged CSAM. 

Data extracted from the SD card of Lingard’s phone allegedly revealed approximately 23 images of CSAM depicting minors who appear to be under 10 years old. At least two of the images depict minors who have previously been identified by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children as child sexual abuse victims. 

It is further alleged that the SD card also contained multiple images of fully clothed minor females who appear to be in a school setting. The images appear to have been taken surreptitiously and are focused on the buttocks of the minor females. A review of the metadata associated with these photos allegedly revealed that some were taken at Shrewsbury High School.

The charge of transportation of child pornography provides for a sentence of not less than five years and up to 20 years in prison, up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of possession of child pornography provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of $250,000.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; and Michael McCarthy, Acting Director of Field Operations for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Boston Field Office made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen Noto of the Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case. 

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 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to 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 criminal complaint are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.