A Shrewsbury man is now facing federal heat after being indicted today for serious child pornography offenses that could lock him away for decades, officials said. Brian Lingard, 60, is accused of possessing and transporting child pornography. Batting for justice, the grand jury in Boston threw the book at Lingard, who was originally slapped with a criminal complaint last month and briefly tasted freedom after his arrest, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Lingard was caught red-handed, allegedly, coming from Paris to Boston with illicit images on his phone during a customs check on October 19, as per federal. A later raid on his Shrewsbury pad turned up a digital den of depravity with even more alleged kiddie smut. The invading materials in his possession, Customs officials alleged, included approximately 23 images on his SD card showing children under the age of 10 being sexually abused, of which at least two have been identified as victims by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
In a dive deeper into the digital darkness, a computer at Lingard's residence contained a stash of roughly 135 videos of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), officials detailed, primarily featuring young girls between the tender ages of three and twelve. The public has been urged to step forward with any relevant information by dialing 617-748-3274.
Under the heavy hand of the law, Lingard could face a minimum of five to 20 years behind bars for transportation and up to 20 years for possession of child pornography, not forgetting a quarter-million-dollar fine potentially gnawing at his savings. Presented as an alleged predator, if proven guilty in the court's eyes, the aging Lingard may be looking at the specter of a lifetime of supervised release overshadowing his sunset years. According to federal authorities, including Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy and agents from Homeland Security and Customs, this is a stark reminder of the lurking dangers to our most vulnerable.
This case is a string in the tapestry of Project Safe Childhood, a Justice Department brainchild from 2006, that aims its crosshairs at child exploiters, rescuing victims in its quest. The details currently shackling Lingard to the court dock are allegations, and like all under our flag, he rests his head on the pillow of innocence until the gavel falls with a verdict of guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
