ALBANY, NEW YORK - Sean Eckrote, age 38, of Granville, New York, was sentenced today to 192 months in prison for possessing and distributing child pornography.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Eckrote pled guilty on June 3, 2021, admitting to possessing and distributing images and videos of child pornography to members of a private chat group. Eckrote admitted that he distributed child pornography to others in exchange for other child pornography, and to gain acceptance within the private chat group. Eckrote also admitted to possessing additional images and videos of child pornography on his cell phone, including depictions involving the sexual abuse and exploitation of toddlers.
Chief United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby also imposed a 30-year term of supervised release, which will begin after Eckrote is released from prison. Eckrote will also be required to register as a sex offender.
The case was investigated by the FBI and its Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes members of the New York State Police, and Homeland Security Investigations, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashlyn Miranda as part of Project Safe Childhood.
Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
