Kristen Blair Hiltunen, Receiving Child Pornography, New York 2021

Kristen Blair Hiltunen, a 36-year-old resident of Amsterdam, New York, has been charged with receiving child pornography, a federal crime that carries significant penalties.

Hiltunen allegedly used a social media messaging application to communicate with and receive child pornography from a minor victim in July 2021, according to a criminal complaint. The charge in the complaint is merely an accusation, and Hiltunen is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

If convicted, Hiltunen faces at least 5 years and up to 20 years in prison, a term of post-release supervision of at least 5 years and up to life, and a fine of up to $250,000. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.

Hiltunen appeared today in federal court before United States Magistrate Daniel J. Stewart. She will remain detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for September 13.

This case was investigated by the FBI and its Child Exploitation Task Force, along with investigators from the Schenectady Police Department. The Child Exploitation Task Force is comprised of FBI Special Agents, and state and local police investigators, including from the Rotterdam and Colonie Police Departments.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel Williams as part of Project Safe Childhood, a program launched in May 2006 by the federal government to combat the exploitation of children via the Internet.

Kristen Blair Hiltunen, 36, of Amsterdam, New York, has been charged with receiving child pornography. The exact date of the crime is July 2021. If convicted, Hiltunen faces a minimum of 5 years and up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of post-release supervision of at least 5 years and up to life.

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