A Massachusetts man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly transferring obscene material to a 14-year-old minor over social media.
Andrew James Gallagher, 28, of Worcester, was indicted on one count of transfer of obscene material to a minor. He was arraigned in federal court in Worcester on Dec. 23, 2022 before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge David H. Hennessy and released on conditions. Gallagher was previously charged by criminal complaint on Dec. 5, 2022 and arrested the following day.
According to the charging document, in April 2022, Gallagher contacted the victim using a social media platform. It is alleged that Gallagher asked, “are you underage at all?” to which the minor victim replied, identifying himself as 14 years old.
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Gallagher then allegedly sent two obscene images of himself to the minor victim, expressed interest in meeting with the minor victim in person, and asked the minor victim to send an explicit video of himself to Gallagher.
The charge of transfer of obscene material to a minor provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
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United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Worcester Police Chief Steven M. Sargent; and Matthew B. Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge of the Homeland Security Investigation’s in New England made the announcement.
Members of the public who have questions, concerns or information regarding this case should call 617-748-3274.
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