New Haven Resident Sentenced to 10 Years for Child Sex Abuse Images

A former New Haven resident has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for possessing images of child sexual abuse.

Michelle Lynn Gschlecht, 51, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 120 months of imprisonment, followed by 10 years of supervised release, for possessing images of child sexual abuse.

In 1996, Gschlecht was convicted in state court of sexual assault in the first degree related to the aggravated sexual abuse of a minor. In 2015, she was convicted in state court of possession of child pornography.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2019, Gschlecht’s probation officer received information that she was in possession of a cellphone that contained images depicting the sexual abuse of minors. A review of her phone revealed images of child pornography.

Forensic analysis of the phone revealed approximately 174 images of child pornography, including images depicting the sexual abuse of prepubescent children and infants. Gschlecht has been detained since her arrest.

Gschlecht pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography on January 11, 2021. The penalties in this matter were enhanced based on Gschlecht’s criminal history.

This matter was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the New Haven Police Department, with the assistance of the Connecticut’s Office of Adult Probation. The case was prosecuted by Nancy V. Gifford.

This prosecution is part of the U.S. government’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation. To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com.

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