Lawrence Boone, a 28-year-old resident of Syracuse, has been sentenced to 168 months in federal prison. The sentence was handed down for multiple offenses related to the distribution, receipt, and possession of child pornography. This announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, Erin Keegan from the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James.
Between August and November 2023, Boone engaged in sending and receiving images and videos of child pornography through a smartphone messaging application. Upon his arrest, authorities found over 3,000 unique files containing child pornography on four electronic devices owned by Boone. These files included disturbing content involving prepubescent minors and acts described as sadistic or masochistic.
United States Chief District Judge Brenda K. Sannes ruled that Boone will also serve a 15-year supervised release period following his incarceration. Additionally, he is required to forfeit the electronic devices used in these crimes and register as a sex offender upon release.
The investigation was carried out by HSI in conjunction with the NYSP Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the NYSP Troop D Computer Crime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Gillis prosecuted this case under Project Safe Childhood.
Project Safe Childhood was initiated by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to combat child exploitation online through coordinated efforts at federal, state, and local levels. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at https://www.justice.gov/psc.
