BOSTON – A federal grand jury indicted an East Bridgewater man yesterday on charges of producing, distributing and possessing child pornography.

Daniel O’Connor Jr., 56, was indicted on one count of sexual exploitation of children, one count of distribution of child pornography, and one count of possession of child pornography. In September 2018, O’Connor Jr. was arrested and charged by criminal complaint. He was released on conditions.  

According to the charging documents, on June 7, 2018, law enforcement executed a federal search warrant at the home of O’Connor Jr., where they located two iPhones belonging to the defendant. An onsite forensic review of one of the phones revealed images of child pornography.

It is alleged that further review of the phone revealed approximately 137 images and approximately 20 videos of child pornography. In addition, the phone contained multiple apps popular with minors, such as Kik Messenger. A review of O’Connor Jr.’s Kik app revealed chats between O’Connor Jr. and an 11-year-old girl during which he solicited and received a number of images and videos depicting child pornography.

The charge of production of child pornography/sexual exploitation of a child provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and up to 30 years in prison. The charge of distribution of child pornography provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 20 years in prison. The charge of possession of child pornography provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison. Each count provides for a mandatory minimum of five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the United States Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz; and East Bridgewater Police Chief Scott Allen made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Sullivan Jacobus of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.