Connecticut Man Charged With Child Exploitation Offenses After HSI Investigation

NEW HAVEN, Conn. — Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New England Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol and U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut Vanessa Roberts Avery announced May 13 that Travis Tilley, 40, of Naugatuck, has been charged by federal criminal complaint with child exploitation offenses.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, in 2019, Tilley was convicted in state court of risk of injury to a child, which involved sexual intercourse with a person under 13 and possession of child sexual abuse material. In August 2022, he was released from state custody and began serving a 15-year term of probation. On March 9, 2023, state probation officers seized Tilley’s laptop and a flash drive. HSI conducted a forensic analysis of the seized items, which revealed that Tilley had used prohibited software and had accessed sites that provide sexually explicit material; that he was using encrypted email and messenger services; that he had used an operating system that is configured to leave no digital footprint; and that he was a member of internet chat rooms that focused on child sexual abuse material and AI-generated child sexual abuse material. HSI’s analysis also revealed two videos depicting the sexual exploitation of prepubescent children, approximately 60 images of AI-generated child sexual abuse material, and sexually explicit chat room messages sent by the laptop user.

The complaint charges Tilley with receipt of child sexual abuse material, which carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years, and with possession of child sexual abuse material, which carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. The penalties in this matter are enhanced because of Tilley’s prior state convictions.

Tilley has been detained in state custody March 2023. He made his initial appearance May 14 in New Haven federal court.

A complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This investigation is being conducted by HSI New England’s New Haven Resident Agent in Charge office with the assistance of the Connecticut Court Support Services Division’s Adult Probation Services and the Westport Police Department.

HSI is a global leader in the fight against child exploitation. Last year, HSI special agents dedicated 1.2 million case hours toward investigating child exploitation. This heinous crime harms the most vulnerable in our society: Our kids. As technology evolves and more people have access to the internet, children are at a greater risk than ever. HSI’s special agents and analysts around the world are dedicated to countering this threat.

Report suspected child exploitation to the HSI tip line at 877-4-HSI-TIP or through the CyberTipline on the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children's website.