A federal grand jury has indicted a Middlefield man on child pornography charges.
Richard Poupart, 52, was charged Thursday with one count of transportation of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.
The charges stem from an investigation dating back to September 2007, when members of the Shelton Police Department executed a state search warrant at Poupart's Middlefield residence and seized several computers and computer components.
Subsequent forensic analysis of the computers and components has allegedly revealed images and videos of child pornography.
Poupart has been detained in federal custody since August 2010.
If convicted of the charges he faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years.
The penalties have been enhanced based on the defendant’s criminal history.
This case is being investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Shelton Police Department and the Milford Police Department.
This prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, and the District of Connecticut’s “Operation Constant Vigilance,” which are aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com.
