Defendant was on probation for armed robbery when he sold fentanyl and methamphetamine to an undercover officer
BOSTON – A West Bridgewater man pleaded guilty Dec. 4 to receiving and possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) from an online communication application.
Juan Levano, 24, pleaded guilty to one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. Sentencing is scheduled for March 12, 2025.
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents led an investigation into an internet-based communications application used for the trafficking of CSAM and identified Levano as a likely user of the platform who participated in groups where CSAM was disseminated.
Levano rented a room at a residence that is registered as a residential daycare. Both Levano and the owner of the residence and daycare denied that Levano worked at the residential daycare and denied that Levano had any contact with the children who attend. During a search of the residence, HSI special agents seized several electronic devices belonging to Levano.
During the search, Levano admitted to being a member of several groups on the chat application and obtaining CSAM from those groups. HSI computer forensics agents reviewed Levano’s phone revealed that Levano was a member of several active groups on the platform that included the exchange of CSAM, including images and videos of children ranging from infancy to 13 years old. Additionally, HSI special agents identified more than 100 video and image files, most of which appear to depict CSAM, stored in a photo application on Levano’s phone.
The charge of receipt of child pornography provides for a sentence of at least five years and up to 20 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of up to $ 250,000. The charge of possession of child pornography provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.
Members of the public who have questions, concerns or information regarding this case should call 617-748-3274.
HSI New England’s Boston Child Exploitation and Computer Forensics Unit led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the West Bridgewater 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 1-877-4-HSI-TIP or through the CyberTipline on the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children's website.
Follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter, @HSINewEngland to learn more about HSI’s global missions and operations.