Gloucester Sex Offender Sentenced To 25 Years For Child Pornography Production

BOSTON – A Level III sex offender was sentenced today for production of child pornography.

Mark Pallazola, 38, of Gloucester, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge William G. Young to 300 months in prison and 10 years of supervised release. In May 2014, Pallazola pleaded guilty to production and possession of child pornography.

On Nov. 19, 2012, federal agents received information that an online user of a photo sharing website had uploaded a series of non-pornographic images of a prepubescent child, with comments indicative of child exploitation. Law enforcement traced this posting to Pallazola at his residence in Gloucester.

The following day, law enforcement officers interviewed Pallazola and executed a search warrant. A preliminary review of the computers located at the residence was conducted and child pornography was located on Pallazola’s computer. Forensic analysis later revealed that Pallazola participated in sexual acts involving a young girl and recorded those acts. He also possessed thousands of other images of child pornography.

This was not Pallazola’s first conviction. In 2002, he was convicted of felonious sexual assault in Concord, NH, after having sexual contact with two girls under the age of 13.

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz and Bruce M. Foucart, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, made the announcement today. The Massachusetts State Police and the Gloucester Police Department assisted with the investigation and arrest of Pallazola. The case was prosecuted by Eve A. Piemonte Stacey of Ortiz’s Major Crimes Unit.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ offices and CEOS, 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 to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.