A Turner Falls resident, Edward Dunphy, 79, has been sentenced to three years in prison and five years of supervised release after pleading guilty to possession of child pornography. The sentencing took place in federal court in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Dunphy was identified as a user involved in uploading and downloading child sexual abuse material (CSAM) through online peer-to-peer file sharing networks during an investigation that began in October 2022. By February 2023, authorities had connected Dunphy to these activities.
On May 18, 2023, law enforcement searched Dunphy’s home and seized several electronic devices including a computer with an internal hard drive, eight external hard drives, a cell phone, and an SD card. Forensic analysis revealed more than 340,000 files containing CSAM. Some of the files depicted the sexual abuse or exploitation of infants or toddlers and included images showing the forcible rape of minor females.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley stated: “United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Randy Maloney, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service, Boston Field Office made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Montague Police Department.” Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian J. Sullivan prosecuted the case.
