U.S. Attorney Carla B. Freedman | U.S. Department of Justice
Richard Hockersmith, a 65-year-old resident of Plattsburgh, New York, has pled guilty to charges of conspiring to receive and distribute child pornography and possession of child pornography. This announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
Hockersmith admitted that in August 2022, he conspired with his co-defendant Jack Kelly to exchange child pornography. The two agreed to send an SD card containing illicit material back and forth via mail. During a search on September 12, 2024, authorities found the SD card at Hockersmith's residence; it still contained images and videos.
Hockersmith is scheduled for sentencing on April 9, 2025, in Albany before United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci. He faces a prison term ranging from five to twenty years, supervised release between five years and life, and a maximum fine of $250,000. Additionally, he must pay restitution to victims and register as a sex offender upon release.
The investigation is conducted by HSI with support from the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office and the New York State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adrian S. LaRochelle is prosecuting under Project Safe Childhood.
Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood coordinates federal, state, and local resources to apprehend individuals exploiting children online and rescue victims. More information can be found at https://www.justice.gov/psc.
