Mayfield Men Charged With Production Of Child Pornography

ALBANY, NEW YORK — United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian, Matthew Scarpino, Resident Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, and Captain Timothy Munro, New York State Police Troop G, Bureau of Criminal Investigation, announce the filing of two criminal complaints charging RICHARD HASTINGS, age 21, and ROBERT HASTINGS, age 18, of Mayfield, New York, with production of child pornography.¹ The defendants are brothers who live together. If found guilty of production of child pornography, each of the defendants faces a statutory minimum of at least fifteen years of imprisonment and up to a maximum sentence of thirty years of imprisonment, and a maximum fine of $250,000. The defendants had their initial appearances in Albany on August 8, 2013 before United States Magistrate Judge Randolph F. Treece. Both defendants were detained. They will have detention hearings on August 9, 2013 at 1:30 p.m.

According to the complaints:

Between July 27, 2013 and July 29, 2013, RICHARD HASTINGS produced sexually explicit photographs of a seven-year-old child, posted some of those photographs on a website, and e-mailed some of them to an undercover investigator with Queensland (Australia) Police

Services. In addition, on August 2, 2013, his brother, ROBERT HASTINGS, produced a sexually explicit video of the child.

This case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the New York State Police. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sean O’Dowd.

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¹The charges are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.