U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery | U.S. Department of Justice
Ryan Cameron, a 22-year-old resident of Groton, Connecticut, has pleaded guilty to a child exploitation charge. The plea was entered before U.S. District Judge Vernon D. Oliver in Hartford.
Court documents reveal that Cameron had previously been convicted in state court for illegally disseminating intimate images of a 15-year-old girl in 2023. In April 2024, while on state probation, his probation officer discovered he possessed a cell phone against his probation conditions. Forensic analysis showed the phone contained videos of child sexual abuse and messages indicating Cameron's involvement in soliciting and distributing child pornography. Additionally, it included recordings of him sending explicit images and videos of himself to minors via Snapchat.
Cameron admitted guilt to receiving child pornography, an offense with a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 20 years imprisonment. Sentencing is set for March 28.
He has been detained since May 20, 2024, following his arrest on unrelated state charges.
The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with help from the New Haven Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Lembo is prosecuting the case.
This prosecution falls under the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which focuses on protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/psc.
To report child exploitation cases, visit www.cybertipline.com.
