John Kelly, an 83-year-old resident of Rome, New York, has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for conspiring to receive and distribute child pornography and for possessing child pornography. The sentence was handed down by United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci.
Kelly previously pleaded guilty to the charges. According to court documents, he admitted that in August 2022 he conspired with Richard Hockersmith to exchange child sexual abuse material. They agreed to mail an SD card containing illegal images and videos back and forth between them. During a search of Kelly’s home on February 23, 2024, law enforcement found numerous images and videos of child pornography on his laptop computer.
In addition to the prison term, Kelly will serve a ten-year period of supervised release following his incarceration and must pay $15,000 in restitution. He is also required to register as a sex offender after his release.
Hockersmith was previously sentenced on July 8, 2025, receiving six years in federal prison along with ten years of post-release supervision.
Acting U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III commented on the case: “It is beyond disturbing that an 83-year-old man would seek out depictions of the sexual abuse of our most vulnerable population. Thanks to the diligent work of HSI, the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office, and New York State Police, this defendant will now be spending his twilight years in federal prison—where he belongs.”
Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Buffalo Field Office stated: “Today's sentence underscores how coordinated, targeted investigative efforts disrupt the distribution of child sexual abuse material and ensure offenders are held accountable. Protecting children from sexual exploitation is one of HSI's highest priorities, and we will relentlessly investigate and disrupt those who trade in child sexual abuse material. HSI Syracuse's strong partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York—and our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners—has proven essential to holding these child predators accountable and strengthening public safety across New York.”
The investigation was conducted by HSI with support from the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office and New York State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adrian S. LaRochelle prosecuted the case under Project Safe Childhood.
Project Safe Childhood is a national initiative led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), aimed at combating child sexual exploitation through collaboration among federal, state, and local agencies to identify offenders as well as rescue victims. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at https://www.justice.gov/psc.
