Shrewsbury Man Indicted for Child Pornography Offenses

BOSTON – A Shrewsbury man was indicted today by a federal grand jury in Worcester for allegedly possessing and transporting child pornography. 
    
Brian Lingard, 60, was charged with transportation of and possession of child pornography. Lingard was previously charged by criminal complaint on Oct. 27, 2023. He was released on conditions following his arrest on Oct. 30, 2023.

According to the charging documents, on Oct. 19, 2023, Lingard flew from Paris to Boston. During a customs screening, it is alleged that Lingard was found to possess images depicting child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on his phone. A subsequent search of devices stored at Lingard’s residence revealed an additional collection of alleged CSAM. 

Data extracted from the SD card of Lingard’s phone allegedly revealed approximately 23 images of CSAM depicting minors who appear to be under 10 years old. At least two of the images depict minors who have previously been identified by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children as child sexual abuse victims. 

It is further alleged that a computer stored by the defendant at his Shrewsbury home contained approximately 135 videos depicting CSAM, depicting primarily females between the ages of three and 12 years old.  

Members of the public who have questions, concerns or information regarding this case should call 617-748-3274.

The charge of transportation of child pornography provides for a sentence of not less than five years and up to 20 years in prison, up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of possession of child pornography provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of $250,000.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; and Michael McCarthy, Acting Director of Field Operations for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Boston Field Office made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen Noto of the Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case. 

The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood.  In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse.  Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc. 

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