STAFF REPORTS
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Christopher Eberhardt, 34, of Ovid, NY, who was convicted following a federal jury trial of distribution, receipt, and possession of child pornography, was sentenced to 180 months in prison and 15 years supervised release.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kyle Rossi and Craig Gestring, who handled the prosecution of the case, stated that Eberhardt was part of a network of more than 70 individuals engaged in the trading of child pornography. The network was first discovered by Special Agents of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) working in Hartford, Connecticut. Agents from the Buffalo, NY Field Office of HSI uncovered a digital trail, which led to the arrest the defendant. In total, Eberhardt was found to be in possession of more than 2,000 images and 132 videos of child pornography. He was also found to have distributed child pornography to other individuals.
“Let this case serve as reminder, or better yet a warning, to those who feel protected committing their crimes in the virtual world online,” stated U.S. Attorney Kennedy. “We will track you down and prosecute you, and the consequences you will suffer as a result of your crimes may well include a very real—and very long—stay in a federal prison.”
“This sentencing ensures that Mr. Eberhardt will no longer have access to children.” said ICE-HSI Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly. “It is also a reminder that predators are increasingly utilizing social networking sites to prey on children, and of the need for parents to be vigilant and aware of their children’s internet activity.”
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly, and the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Richard Allen.
