Deirdre M. Daly, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that HEATH TRAHAN, 39, formerly of North Windham, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 204 months of imprisonment, followed by 15 years of supervised release, for producing and distributing child pornography.
According to court documents and statements made in court, TRAHAN was arrested on Oct. 14, 2011, after investigators determined that he had emailed images of child pornography to an individual in New Jersey. At the time of his arrest, investigators seized several computers, related components and a mobile phone. Forensic analysis of the seized phone determined that TRAHAN used it to take photographs of two minor children engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Examination of the seized computers also revealed approximately 500 images and 60 videos of child pornography, which had not been produced by TRAHAN.
TRAHAN has been detained since his arrest. On Dec. 20, 2012, he pleaded guilty to one count of production of child pornography and one count of distribution of child pornography.
This matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations with the assistance of the Connecticut State Police. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Neeraj N. Patel and Deborah R. Slater. Assistant United States Attorney Fabiana Pierre-Louis of the District of New Jersey has assisted in the investigation and prosecution of this matter.
This prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com.
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Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys