Ledyard man arraigned on child pornography charges

A 19-year-old Ledyard man pleaded not guilty Wednesday to a charge that he downloaded images and videos depicting young girls in sexual situations on his cellphone.

Matthew T. Blendermann of 5 Sable Drive was charged in May with first-degree possession of child pornography. He is free on a $50,000 bond. He appeared Tuesday in New London Superior Court with defense attorney Randall A. Ortega to enter the plea.

According to an arrest warrant affidavit written by state police Detective Jonathan Carreiro, the State Police Computer Crimes and Electronic Evidence Laboratory in April 2018 received a “cybertip” from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

The NCMEC had received a report from the Adobe Systems computer software company that 26 image files of suspected child pornography were uploaded to a storage account associated with Blendermann’s email address. The images depicted girls estimated to be between ages 1 and 9, either partially undressed or naked, posing in a sexual manner. Several of the files appeared to have been edited with added objects and comments.

The state police detectives tracked the Internet Protocol (IP) address to the Blendermann home and they, along with members of the Ledyard Police Department, executed a search and seizure warrant at the home on July 5, 2018. Blendermann decided to consult with an attorney before answering any questions and refused to provide the passcode to his iPhone,

which the detectives seized and analyzed. The phone contained 13 image files and two videos of suspected child pornography, according to the affidavit.

Ordinarily, such a case involves prison time, prosecutor Theresa Anne Ferryman said during Blendermann’s court appearance Tuesday. She said attorney Ortega convinced the state to allow Blendermann to get into counseling, continue his college education and undergo a risk assessment while his case is pending.

Judge Hillary B. Strackbein continued the case to Oct. 11 and told Blendermann he can’t have contact with minors, except for his siblings. The case potentially could be resolved in December with a plea deal that does not involve prison time.

“If there’s any further incidents, on the computer, that would ruin this,” Strackbein said.