Syracuse Man Pleads Guilty to Receipt, Distribution and Possession of Child Pornography

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Lawrence Boone, age 28, of Syracuse pled guilty today to multiple counts of receipt, distribution, and possession of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, Matthew Scarpino, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Buffalo Field Office, and New York State Police (NYSP) Superintendent Steven G. James.

On several occasions from August through November 2023, Boone received images and videos of child pornography from other users on a smartphone messaging application. In exchange, Boone sent those users images and videos of child pornography that he possessed. Law enforcement arrested Boone on November 21, 2023, and seized multiple electronic devices used by Boone. Digital forensic analysis revealed that Boone possessed numerous images and videos of child pornography on each of the devices.

Sentencing is scheduled for November 25, 2024, before United States Chief District Judge Brenda K. Sannes.  Boone faces a mandatory minimum term of 5 years in prison on the receipt and distribution charges, a maximum term of 20 years in prison for each of the indicted charges, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of between 5 years and up to life.  Boone will also be required to register as a sex offender.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.

The case is being investigated by HSI, the NYSP Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the NYSP Troop D Computer Crime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Gillis prosecuted the case as a part of Project Safe Childhood.

Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (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 https://www.justice.gov/psc.