55-Year-Old Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography Possession

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – In a grim turn of events, Kirkland Smith, 55, of Witherbee, New York, has pled guilty to six counts of possessing child pornography. The disturbing revelation was made public by U.S. Attorney Richard S. Hartunian, alongside New York State Police Superintendent George P. Beach II and James C. Spero, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Buffalo Field Office.

Smith’s admission came as a shock to many. He confessed to amassing a collection of hundreds of videos and images of child pornography on a memory card and five hard drives. His dark past includes a previous conviction for second-degree child molestation in Rhode Island, with the child pornography he now pleads guilty to involving prepubescent minors and those under 12 years old.

The potential sentence for Smith is as dire as his actions. Each count carries at least 10 years and up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and a term of supervised release ranging from five years to life after his imprisonment ends. The sentencing date has been set for April 10, 2017, before Senior U.S. District Judge Norman A. Mordue.

This case was meticulously investigated by the New York State Police and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), with Assistant U.S. Attorney Cyrus P.W. Rieck taking the lead in prosecution.

Smith’s crime is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative aimed at protecting children from online exploitation and abuse. This program has been instrumental in identifying and apprehending those who exploit children via the Internet, as well as rescuing victims. For further information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/.

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