BOSTON, Mass. - A New Bedford man was charged today in federal court with possessing child pornography.

LARRY HEYES, 57, was charged today in a criminal complaint with possession of child pornography. The complaint alleges that on October 6, 2010, HEYES knowingly possessed visual depictions of minor engaging in sexual explicit conduct. According to court documents, HEYES is a registered sex offender and was previously convicted of raping a child.

If convicted on these charges, HEYES faces up to 20 years imprisonment, to be followed by up to lifetime supervised release and a $250,000 fine.

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz, Robert Bethel, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Colonel Marian McGovern, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement today. This case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, was investigated by the Massachusetts State Police and U.S. Postal Inspection Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Yoon of Ortiz’s Major Crimes Unit.

In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys' 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/.

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

 

 

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