BANGOR, Maine: In a chilling revelation, Austin Cocchiaro, a 24-year-old resident of Veazie, Maine, has pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Bangor to two counts of enticing a minor and one count of possessing child pornography.
Cocchiaro, caught in the snares of justice, stands accused of using his cell phone to coerce minors into participating in the production of explicit content, as well as offering to compensate them online. The court records reveal that these heinous acts occurred in both 2022 and 2024.
In a shocking turn of events, on November 14, 2024, the FBI executed a search warrant at Cocchiaro’s residence in Veazie. The search unearthed additional caches of child pornography stored on two cell phones belonging to him.
The magnitude of the charges against Cocchiaro does not bode well for his future. He faces an array of penalties, including a possible sentence ranging from 10 years to life in federal prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a lifetime of supervised release. His fate will be sealed after the U.S. Probation Office completes a presentence investigative report.
The FBI played a pivotal role in this investigation, diligently working to bring justice to those affected by Cocchiaro’s actions. For those who witness or suspect child pornography, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children offers a lifeline with their 24-hour hotline at 1-800-843-5678.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a relentless effort by the Department of Justice to combat the ever-growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. For more information on this initiative, visit Project Safe Childhood.
Related Federal Cases
- Houlton Resident Larry O’Neal Sentenced for Child Pornography · Maine
- Calais Resident Staples Sentenced for Child Pornography Distribution · Maine
- Bangor Man Charged With Enticing Minor, Child Pornography · Pennsylvania
- Brewer Man Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography Possession · Maine
- Easton Man Sentenced for Child Pornography · Maine
Key Facts
- State: Maine
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes|Cybercrime
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
