CONCORD - Karl Messner, 63, of Weare, pleaded guilty in federal court on Monday to possession of child pornography, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

            According to court documents and statements made in court, starting in June 2016, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a number of CyberTipline Reports regarding suspected child pornography activity.  The internet protocol, or IP, addresses associated with those reports all resolved to Messner’s residence in Weare, New Hampshire.  In October 2016, investigators obtained a federal search warrant for that residence.  During an interview at his house, Messner admitted to viewing child pornography, and that images could be found on his laptop and thumb drives.  Investigators seized a laptop and thumb drive on which they later found images of child pornography following a forensic analysis. 

            Messner is scheduled to be sentenced on July 16, 2019.

            “The protection of children is one of the most important duties of law enforcement,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “Child exploitation crimes, including those related to child pornography, are very serious matters.  In order to protect the innocence of children, we will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute those who commit these crimes.”

            This matter was investigated by Immigration and Custom Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Weare Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles L. Rombeau.

            In February 2006, the Department of Justice introduced Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse.  Led by the United States Attorney’s 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.           

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