New Haven Woman Sentenced In Child Abuse Case: Feds

NEW HAVEN, CT — A New Haven woman has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for possessing images of child sexual abuse, according to a statement from federal prosecutors. Michelle Lynn Gschlect, formerly known as Richard Gschlect, 51, will also serve 10 years of supervised release.

According to prosecutors, in August 1996, Gschlecht was convicted in state court of first-degree sexual assault related to the aggravated sexual abuse of a minor. Gschlecht was also convicted in state court in July 2015 of possession of child pornography.

Gschlecht began serving a 10-year term of state probation in March 2019. Gschlecht’s probation officer received information that Gschlecht was in possession of a cellphone that contained images depicting the sexual abuse of minors in July 2019.

State probation officers arrested Gschlecht on July 31, 2019 after a review of her phone revealed images of child pornography.

Forensic analysis of the phone revealed approximately 174 images of child pornography, including images depicting the sexual abuse of prepubescent children and infants.

Gschlecht has been detained since her arrest. She pleaded guilty in January to one count of possession of child pornography.