Greenwich Man Pleads Guilty To Child Exploitation Offense: Feds

GREENWICH, CT — A 37-year-old Greenwich resident and attorney, who is accused of having over 1,000 images and two videos on his laptop computer showing the sexual abuse of children, pleaded guilty Wednesday to a child exploitation offense, according to Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut.

Christopher Bates Jr., an attorney admitted to practice in New York and Connecticut, waived his right to be indicted before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven.

Bates pleaded guilty to possessing and accessing with intent to view child pornography, an offense that carries a maximum term of 20 years in prison, Avery noted.

A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.

According to court documents and statements made in court, an international law investigation revealed that an IP address at Bates’ home was being used to access the dark web to view images and videos that showed the sexual abuse of children, Avery said.

On Nov. 30, 2022, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents interviewed Bates, who agreed to a search of his electronic devices.

A forensic review of one of Bates' laptops revealed approximately 1,222 images and two videos depicting the sexual abuse of children, including infants, Avery said.

Bates was arrested on Dec. 13, 2022. He is released on a $300,000 bond under electronic monitoring pending sentencing, Avery said.

The case has been investigated by HSI with the assistance of the Greenwich Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Neeraj N. Patel and Daniel Gordon.

This prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation.

Report cases of child exploitation here.