A Keene resident, Paul Baird, has admitted guilt in a federal court for his involvement in producing child sexual abuse material. Acting U.S. Attorney Jay McCormack announced the plea on Thursday.
Baird, aged 44, confessed to aiding and abetting the production of child pornography. Judge Steven J. McAuliffe has set the sentencing date for June 25, 2025.
Court documents reveal that on January 29, 2024, Baird captured at least one explicit photograph of a minor's genitalia and shared sexually explicit images of the minor on a dark web platform dedicated to such material. During their investigation, law enforcement discovered images and videos classified as child sexual abuse material on Baird's phone.
At the time of his arrest, Baird was employed by Student Transportation of America as a bus driver for the Contoocook Valley School District.
The charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and could lead to a maximum penalty of up to 30 years in prison and a fine reaching $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss from the crime.
Homeland Security Investigations spearheaded the investigation with assistance from the Keene Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Krasinski is handling prosecution duties.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in 2006 aimed at protecting children from exploitation and abuse. The project involves collaboration between federal, state, and local resources to apprehend offenders and rescue victims. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.
