Former Ledyard Man Indicted for Child Pornography

Matthew Wallace, 29, formerly of Fairway Drive in Ledyard and currently residing on Salt Pond Way in Westerly, RI, has been charged with one count of receiving child pornography and one count of possessing child pornography. 

David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that a federal grand jury sitting in New Haven returned an indictment on May 24. It was unsealed Thursday during Wallace’s arraignment before U.S. Magistrate Judge Holly B. Fitzsimmons in Bridgeport.

The indictment alleges that, on or about May 27, 2010, Wallace received images of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct. The indictment also alleges that, on or about May 28, 2010, Wallace possessed additional images of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

Enforcement agents conducted a court-authorized search of Wallace’s Ledyard residence on May 28, 2010 and seized computers and hard drives.  Preliminary forensic examination of the seized items has allegedly revealed images and videos of children engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

Since his arrest on Dec. 16, 2010, Wallace has been released on a $100,000 bond co-signed by a family member.  This week, Judge Fitzsimmons ordered that the conditions of Wallace’s bond be modified to include electronic monitoring and a 9:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew.

If convicted of the charge of receiving child pornography, Wallace faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years, a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years and a fine of up to $250,000.  If convicted of the charge of possessing child pornography, he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000.

U.S. Attorney Fein stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt.  Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.