Sean Michael McLaughlin, Possession of Child Pornography, Virginia 2021

An Alexandria man has been convicted of possessing child pornography, a crime that carries a serious penalty.

Sean Michael McLaughlin, 32, was found guilty of possessing child pornography after law enforcement downloaded videos containing child pornography from an internet protocol address assigned to his home.

The videos included prepubescent children engaging in sexual activity, with some children being sexually assaulted by adults or restrained with bondage.

McLaughlin admitted to repeatedly searching for, downloading, viewing, and possessing child pornography during an interview with law enforcement.

A forensic examination of McLaughlin's electronics revealed that he possessed child pornography from 2016 to 2018.

McLaughlin faces a maximum punishment of 10 years in prison when sentenced on January 20, 2021.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.

A federal district court judge will determine the sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edva/pr/alexandria-man-convicted-possessing-child-pornography