Sentencing Set For May 24

A jury has convicted William Pothier, 58, of Exeter, NH and a former FAA employee, of possessing child pornography.  A sentencing hearing on the case is set for May 24, 2018.

According to acting United States Attorney John J. Farley , the jury heard evidence that the Exeter Police Department received information in January 2016 that an IP address affiliated with a residence in Exeter, New Hampshire was making images of child pornography available for sharing through the peer-to-peer file sharing software Shareaza.  Further investigation by Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force members from the Exeter Police Department, the Hampton Police Department, the Portsmouth Police Department, and the Strafford County Sheriff’s Office led to the acquisition and execution of a search warrant at the residence on March 30, 2016.  A forensic examination of a laptop seized during the search discovered videos and thumbnail images of child pornography. Other evidence associated the laptop with Pothier.

“Those who create, distribute or possess child pornography rob children of their innocence,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley.  “The U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners are committed to working together to investigate and prosecute those who commit child pornography crimes in the Granite State.  I commend the law enforcement officers who participated in this investigation for their dedication to the protection of children.”

The DOT Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation were the lead federal agencies on the investigation.  The Exeter Police Department, the Hampton Police Department, the Portsmouth Police Department, the Strafford County Sheriff’s Office, and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force all contributed to the investigation and successful prosecution of the case.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Donald Feith.

(Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office District of New Hampshire news release)

FMI: www.justice.gov