Groton Man Charged with Child Exploitation Offenses

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), New England, today announced that RYAN CAMERON, 21, of Groton, has been charged by federal criminal complaint with receipt and distribution of child pornography, soliciting child pornography, and possession of child pornography.

Cameron appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Maria E. Garcia in New Haven. He has been detained in state custody since his arrest on unrelated state charges on May 20, 2024.

As alleged in court documents, Cameron was convicted in 2023 in state court of illegal dissemination of intimate images of a 15-year-old female. In April 2024, while Cameron was on state probation, his state probation officer conducted a home visit and discovered Cameron was in possession of a cell phone in violation of the conditions of his probation. A subsequent forensic examination of the phone revealed that the phone contained videos and images constituting child pornography. Also located on the phone were messages between Cameron and individuals on messaging applications showing Cameron soliciting and distributing child pornography.

The charges of receipt and distribution of child pornography and soliciting child pornography carry a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of 20 years imprisonment. The charge of possession of child pornography carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

U.S. Attorney Avery stressed that a complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This matter is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with the assistance of the New Haven Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Lembo.

This prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com.