Benjamin J. Varieur, Child Pornography, New York 2023

A Saratoga Springs man has been found guilty of receiving child pornography over an encrypted messaging application. Benjamin J. Varieur, 33, of Saratoga Springs, New York, pled guilty to receiving child pornography via the Wickr Me messaging application on his phone.

According to the FBI, Varieur, using the name "bigman6012," requested and received dozens of images of child pornography, including images depicting the sexual abuse of children as young as 2 years old. The images were received over the internet from another man from March 22, 2018, to March 25, 2018.

Varieur has been detained since his arrest in April and faces at least 5 years and up to 20 years in prison, to be followed by post-imprisonment supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life, when he is sentenced in January by United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino.

This case was investigated by the FBI and its Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes members of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, including the Colonie Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael Barnett.

Varieur would also have to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.

This case is being prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a program launched by the federal government to combat child exploitation and abuse. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc

Mandatory Facts:

Defendant/Respondent Name: Benjamin J. Varieur

Exact Criminal Charges: Receiving Child Pornography

City and State: Saratoga Springs, New York

Exact Date: March 22, 2018 - March 25, 2018

Sentence or Outcome: 5 years to 20 years in prison, followed by post-imprisonment supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/saratoga-springs-man-admits-receiving-child-pornography-over-encrypted-messaging