Naugatuck Man Charged with Child Exploitation Offenses

A Naugatuck man is facing serious charges after allegedly exploiting children through child pornography.

Travis Tilley, 40, of Naugatuck, was charged by federal criminal complaint with receipt and possession of child pornography, stemming from a probe by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Connecticut Court Support Services Division – Adult Probation Services.

According to court documents, Tilley was convicted in state court in 2019 of risk of injury to a child, which involved sexual intercourse with a person under 13, and possession of child pornography. After serving time, he was released from state custody in August 2022 and began serving a 15-year term of probation.

However, his release was short-lived, as state probation officers seized his laptop and a flash drive in March 2023. Analysis of the seized items revealed that Tilley had accessed sites that provide sexually explicit material, used encrypted email and messenger services, and was a member of internet chat rooms that focused on child pornography.

The analysis also revealed two videos depicting the sexual exploitation of prepubescent children and approximately 60 images of child pornography. The complaint charges Tilley with receipt of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years, and with possession of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

Tilley has been detained in state custody since March 2023 and made his initial appearance today in New Haven federal court. U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery reminded the public that a complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.

The investigation is being conducted by HSI with the assistance of the Connecticut Court Support Services Division – Adult Probation Services and the Westport Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel E. Cummings through the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which aims to protect children from sexual abuse and exploitation.