BOSTON, MA – A 21-year-old Barnstable man is facing a lifetime behind bars after being indicted on horrific charges of exploiting children. Atticus J. Bernard was arrested Friday, July 23, 2021, and now stands accused of preying on minors to create and distribute deeply disturbing material.
According to federal prosecutors, Bernard allegedly coerced two minors into engaging in sexually explicit conduct on separate occasions between November 2019 and October 2020. The indictment further alleges that on January 14, 2021, Bernard was found in possession of child pornography. The specifics of how authorities uncovered the alleged crimes haven’t been released, but the charges paint a grim picture of calculated abuse.
If convicted on the two counts of sexual exploitation of children, Bernard could face up to 30 years in prison, a minimum 15-year mandatory minimum, and a lifetime of supervised release. He also faces a potential $250,000 fine. The charge of possession of child pornography carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years imprisonment, a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. A federal district court judge will ultimately determine the sentence, guided by U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other relevant factors.
The case was announced jointly by Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell, Frederick J. Regan, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service in Boston, and Barnstable Police Chief Matthew Sonnabend. Assistant U.S. Attorney David G. Tobin, from Mendell’s Major Crimes Unit, is leading the prosecution. The involvement of the Secret Service, typically known for protecting national leaders, highlights the broadening scope of their investigative work into digital crimes.
Authorities are urging anyone with information related to this case to come forward. Citizens can contact investigators at 617-748-3274. This prosecution is part of “Project Safe Childhood,” a national initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice aimed at combating child exploitation. The program pools federal, state, and local resources to identify, apprehend, and prosecute perpetrators, while also working to rescue victims.
It’s crucial to remember that the indictment contains allegations, and Atticus J. Bernard is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. However, the charges are deeply disturbing and demand a swift and thorough prosecution. For more information on Project Safe Childhood, visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.
Related Federal Cases
- Naomi Ruth Smith, Child Sex Trafficking, M.D. Florida, 2023 · Texas
- Anthony Pledger, Child Sex Trafficking, Boston MA, 2023 · Mississippi
- Stephen John Hallissey, Possession and Receipt of Child Pornography… · Massachusetts
- John Whittenburg, Child Pornography Collection, ME, 2023 · Maine
- William Clarence Brower, Child Predator Sentencing, Boise ID, 2023 · New Mexico
Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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