SPRINGFIELD — An Amherst man indicted by a federal grand jury in Springfield for allegedly distributing and possessing child sexual abuse material pleaded not guilty to the charges in federal court in Springfield Wednesday, according to the U.S. attorney’s office for the District of Massachusetts.
Bradley James Driscoll, 25, was indicted on one count of distribution of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.
Following his arrest arraignment on Oct. 18, Driscoll was released on a series of conditions.
The indictment states that on Aug. 29, 2022, Driscoll possessed child sexual abuse material in the form of videos, and knowingly distributed the material that depicted a minor victim under 12 years old. It is unknown if the victim lives in the area.
Two Apple iPhones and an Apple MacBook were confiscated from Driscoll’s home on Salem Place in February, according to the indictment.
A charge of distribution of child pornography provides for a sentence of at least five years and up to 20 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.
The penalty for possession of child pornography is up to 20 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.
Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes.
Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Jodi Cohen, special agent in charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division, made the announcement of Driscoll’s arrest. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Mazur of the Springfield Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
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 May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the 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.