Rensselaer County Man Pleads Guilty To Distribution, Receipt And Possession Of Child Pornography

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Howard Hazelton, age 63, of Rensselaer County, New York, pled guilty today in Albany before United States District Judge Thomas J. McAvoy to two counts of distribution of child pornography, one count of receipt of child pornography and five counts of possession of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian and Andrew W. Vale, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Hazelton faces at least 5 years and up to 20 years of imprisonment, as well as a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life. He also faces a maximum fine of $250,000 and mandatory registration as a sex offender. Hazelton will be sentenced in Albany, New York on August 11, 2015.

As part of his guilty plea, Hazelton admitted that in August and September 2013, he knowingly distributed child pornography, and that in November 2013, he knowingly received child pornography and possessed child pornography involving prepubescent minors and minors who had not attained 12 years of age.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Amanda W. Cox.