A Turner Falls resident, Edward Dunphy, 79, has been sentenced to three years in prison and five years of supervised release after pleading guilty to possession of child pornography. The sentencing took place in federal court in Springfield, Massachusetts.
The investigation began in October 2022, focusing on online peer-to-peer file sharing networks that were being used for the distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). By February 2023, authorities identified Dunphy as a user who was actively uploading and downloading such material.
A search conducted at Dunphy’s home on May 18, 2023 led to the seizure of a computer with an internal hard drive, eight external hard drives, a cell phone, and an SD card. Forensic examination revealed more than 340,000 files containing CSAM. Some files depicted the sexual abuse or exploitation of infants or toddlers and included images showing the forcible rape of minor females.
“United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Randy Maloney, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service, Boston Field Office made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Montague Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian J. Sullivan of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case.”
