INFORMATION ISSUED BY U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE FOR CONNECTICUT ON AUG. 24: CONNECTICUT MAN WHO POSSESSED CHILD PORNOGRAPHY IS SENTENCED TO FEDERAL PRISON

The U.S. Department of Justice's U.S. Attorney's office for Connecticut issued the following press release:

Kevin J. O'Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that RICHARD WERTHEIM, age 62, of Durham and Old Saybrook, Connecticut, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Christopher F. Droney in Hartford to 14 months of imprisonment, followed by 10 years of supervised release. Judge Droney also ordered WERTHEIM to pay a fine in the amount of $7500. On May 31, 2006, WERTHEIM pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography.

According to documents filed with the Court and statements made in court, WERTHEIM participated in "peer-to-peer file sharing" using internet applications that allow internet users at diverse locations to share access to electronic data files containing visual images, music, text, and video. On May 6, 2005, federal agents searched WERTHEIM's residences in Durham and Old Saybrook and seized two personal computers. Forensic analysis subsequently revealed that WERTHEIM had downloaded approximately 117 images and videos containing child pornography onto his computers. The images found on WERTHEIM's computer included several involving prepubescent minors.

This case was investigated by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John A. Marrella.

U.S. Attorney O'Connor noted that this prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice's Project Safe Childhood Initiative, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com.Contact: Tom Carson, 203/821-3722, thomas.carson@usdoj.gov.

Tom Carson, 203/821-3722, thomas.carson@usdoj.gov.