Vernon Man Accused of Using Fed-Issued Computer for Porn

VERNON/ENFIELD, CT – A Vernon man who works at a federal office in Enfield is facing pornography charges involving a government-issued computer and other devices, officials said.

John H. Durham, United States attorney for the District of Connecticut and Douglas Shoemaker, regional special agent-in-charge, United States Department of Transportation-Office of Inspector General announced that Scott Pierson, 57, of Vernon, was arrested Thursday on a criminal complaint charging him with receipt and possession of child pornography.

A criminal complaint alleges that, in March of this year, the DOT received information that Pierson, an administrative officer assigned to the Federal Aviation Administration Bradley Flight Standards District Office in Enfield, was using his FAA-issued laptop computer to access websites known to contain images of child pornography over the Internet.

A subsequent investigation revealed that Pierson also downloaded and maintained hundreds of sexually explicit images and videos of children on his FAA-issued laptop computer and "other external devices," Durham said.

Investigators conducted a court-authorized search of Pierson’s residence and his office on Wednesday and seized several items, including computers, cell phones and thumb drives, case records indicate.

Pierson was arrested during the search. Following his arrest, Pierson appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Donna F. Martinez in Hartford, Durham said.

The charge of receipt of child pornography carries a minimum prison term of of five years, a maximum term of 20 years, and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of possession of child pornography carries a maximum term of 20 years and a fine of up to $250,000.

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