Travis M. Williams, Child Exploitation, Connecticut 2019

A disturbing case of child exploitation has come to light in Connecticut, with a Norwich man admitting to photographing and video recording his repeated sexual abuse of a 9-year-old child.

Travis M. Williams, 34, of Norwich, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to production of child pornography and distribution of child pornography.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on more than 100 occasions, Williams engaged in sexual acts with the child, who was approximately 9 years old at the time of the abuse. The defendant recorded some of these acts on his iPhone and sent the photographs to an adult female via text message.

On July 21, 2019, Williams photographed himself sexually abusing the child and sent the images to the adult female via text message. Just six days later, on July 27, 2019, Williams filmed 10 videos depicting him sexually abusing the child.

Investigators recovered numerous text messages between Williams and the adult female in July 2019. In certain text messages, Williams told the adult female that he wanted to engage in sexual acts with her while the child watched, and that he wanted the child to take part in these sexual acts.

Williams has been detained since his arrest on related state charges on August 30, 2019. He faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years for production of child pornography, as well as a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years for distribution of child pornography.

Judge Meyer scheduled sentencing for January 24, 2022.

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Norwich Police Department, and the Connecticut State Police. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amanda S. Oakes and Neeraj N. Patel.

Acting U.S. Attorney Leonard C. Boyle thanked the New London State’s Attorney’s Office for its cooperation in the investigation and prosecution of this case.

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

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