Kingston man admits child porn distribution
ALBANY — A Kingston man pleaded guilty Thursday to distribution and possession of child pornography, admitting he traded child pornography on a social media application using the screenname “irishbstrdinc” in 2020, federal authorities said.
The images and videos distributed and possessed by Thomas O’bryan, 41, portrayed sadistic and masochistic conduct, and the sexual abuse and exploitation of toddlers, according to U.S. Attorney Carla B. Freedman and FBI Special Agent in Charge Janeen Diguiseppi.
The distribution of child pornography charge carries a mandatory minimum term of five years and a maximum term of 20 years in prison, the officials said. The possession of child pornography charge carries a maximum term of 20 years.
O’bryan also faces a fine of up to $250,000, a term of supervised release of at least five years and up to life, forfeiture to the U.S. of property used to commit his offenses, and restitution to identified victims. He will also have to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.
Sentencing is scheduled for July 13 before U.S. District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby.
Jury convicts Castleton man in enticement trial
UTICA — Following a 4-day trial, a Castleton-on-hudson man was convicted Thursday of attempting to entice a minor into engaging in unlawful sexual activities, federal authorities said.
The trial evidence established that in January and February 2021, Charles Wager, 55, exchanged thousands of sexually explicit text messages with people he believed to be a 10-yearold girl and her mother, according to U.S. Attorney Carla B. Freedman and FBI Special Agent in Charge Janeen Diguiseppi. In these texts, Wager, among other things, discussed performing different sexual acts with the 10-year-old and sent nude pictures of himself.
Wager arranged to meet with the presumed mother and 10year-old in person, authorities said. On Feb. 5, 2021, he traveled from Castleton-on-hudson to Binghamton for the purpose of having sex with the presumed 10-year-old. He was arrested shortly after his arrival.
In 2002, Wager pled guilty in Rensselaer County Court to third-degree rape after admitting to having sex with a then-15-year-old girl. He has been required to register as a sex offender ever since. Following his arrest in February 2021, Wager also admitted to sexually molesting two other minor victims several decades ago, authorities said.
Sentencing is scheduled for June 8, when he faces a minimum term of imprisonment of 20 years, a maximum term of life, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of at least five years and up to life.