A Wilmington, North Carolina resident has been charged with the transportation and possession of child pornography. Barry Grant Bevier, 61, faces one count each for these offenses as announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Vikas Khanna.
Bevier appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stacey D. Adams in Newark federal court and was detained following his appearance.
The charges stem from an incident on November 26, 2024, when Bevier returned from an international trip landing at Newark Liberty International Airport. Law enforcement officers searched his cellular phone and discovered approximately forty-five photographs and twenty-one videos depicting child sexual abuse material. Among the content were images that Bevier allegedly took himself, including a "selfie" with one of the victims.
The charge of transporting child pornography carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a maximum of twenty years in prison. Possession of child pornography also carries a potential penalty of up to twenty years in prison. Each charge could result in fines up to $250,000 or twice the gain or loss from the offense.
Acting U.S. Attorney Khanna credited special agents from Homeland Security Investigations ("HSI")—Newark for their role in the investigation under Acting Special Agent in Charge Spiros Karabinas's direction. He also acknowledged assistance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection in New Jersey.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Trevor A. Chenoweth is representing the government in this case.
It is important to note that all charges are accusations at this stage, and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Defense counsel for Bevier is Paul A. Di Lella, Esq., based in Parsippany.
