Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Peter C. Fitzhugh, the Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”) announced the arrest of GARY PAMPERIEN for possession of child pornography.  PAMPERIEN was arrested yesterday and presented before United States Magistrate Judge Lisa Margaret Smith. 

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “Child pornography victimizes society’s most innocent and vulnerable.  Massage therapist Gary Pamperien was arrested for allegedly possessing child pornography.  Sexualizing young children is despicable, and this Office and our law enforcement partners will continue to utilize all of the expertise and resources available to bring to justice those who possess child pornography.”

HSI Special Agent-in Charge Peter C. Fitzhugh said:  “Pamperien allegedly purchased explicit photos of children, repeatedly victimizing each child with just the click of a button. Perhaps thinking he could conceal these heinous alleged acts, he allegedly used his work computer as a means to mask his identity.  HSI has a firm commitment to tracking down those perpetrators who exploit children to satisfy their own horrid desires and we will bring them to justice.”

According to the allegations in the Complaint[1]:

Between at least August 2017 and December 2018, PAMPERIEN, a massage therapist, purchased access to thousands of files containing child pornography through a password-protected, fee-based website hosted outside the United States.  The child pornography included depictions of nude prepubescent children posing lasciviously.  PAMPERIEN made his purchases from an IP address associated with a non-profit educational retreat center in Rhinebeck, New York, where PAMPERIEN has lived and worked.  Additionally, on November 13, 2019, law enforcement officers uncovered at least a dozen images and one video containing child pornography on a laptop belonging to PAMPERIEN.

PAMPERIAN, 65, of Hicksville, New York, is charged with one count of possession of child pornography, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison or 20 years in prison if any image of child pornography involved in the offense involved a prepubescent minor or a minor who had not attained 12 years of age.  The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

The charges in the Complaint are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Mr. Berman praised Homeland Security Investigations for their outstanding investigative work. 

This case is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division.  Assistant United States Attorneys Sam Adelsberg and Benjamin A. Gianforti are in charge of the prosecution.

 



[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth below constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.