Aaron Cassidy Sentenced for Child Pornography Access

PORTLAND, Maine—In a chilling reminder of the dangers of online exploitation, former Falmouth resident Aaron Cassidy has been sentenced to two years in prison for accessing child pornography, according to U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee.

Cassidy, 49, also faces five years of supervised release and is ordered to pay a $5,000 assessment for his heinous actions. He pleaded guilty on July 20, 2021, marking the culmination of an investigation that began in March 2015.

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) launched their probe after discovering child pornography shared through Ares, a notorious peer-to-peer file-sharing program. The investigation led to Cassidy’s residence in Falmouth, where authorities uncovered a laptop containing explicit images and videos of minors. The search warrant was executed in May 2015.

In his sentencing remarks, U.S. District Judge George Z. Singal emphasized the lifelong emotional and physical toll on children depicted in such materials. “The victims of child pornography often suffer for life as their abuse is permanently documented online,” he stated.

The Cassidy case was part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. This initiative coordinates federal, state, and local efforts to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who exploit children via the Internet. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.justice.gov/psc.

HSI played a critical role in this investigation, ensuring justice is served for the innocent victims of Cassidy’s actions.

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