Former Naugatuck President Admits Possessing Child Pornography

David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that Joseph Calvin Laughner, 44, of Seymour, formerly of Naugatuck, waived his right to indictment and pleaded guilty today before United States District Judge Janet C. Hall in Bridgeport to one count of possession of child pornography.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Laughner used a peer-to-peer file sharing program to download images of child pornography. On December 7, 2009, agents with the Connecticut Computer Crimes Task Force, with the assistance of the Naugatuck Police Department, conducted a search of Laughner’s residence and seized three computers and computer-related items. Forensic analysis of the items seized has revealed more than 300 images and 22 videos of children engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

Judge Hall has scheduled sentencing for September 5, 2012, at which time Laughner faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000.

Laughner has been released on a $100,000 bond since his arrest on December 3, 2010.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Connecticut Computer Crimes Task Force, which includes federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Deborah R. Slater.

The Connecticut Computer Crimes Task Force investigates crimes occurring over the Internet, including computer intrusion, Internet fraud, copyright violations, Internet threats and harassment, and online crimes against children. The task force also provides computer forensic review services for participating agencies. The task force is housed in the main FBI office in New Haven. For more information about the task force, please contact the FBI at 203-777-6311.

This prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative and the District of Connecticut’s Operation Constant Vigilance, which are aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

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