Joseph Gallo, an 80-year-old resident of Philadelphia, has been sentenced to a decade in prison for possessing child pornography. The sentence was handed down by United States District Court Judge Juan R. Sanchez and includes five years of supervised release, $12,750 in restitution, and $10,000 in special assessments.
Gallo had previously pleaded guilty in July after being charged with possession of child pornography as a repeat offender. He admitted to collecting over 18,000 images depicting the sexual abuse of children over three years. At the time of these offenses, he was already registered under Megan's Law and undergoing court-ordered treatment due to a prior conviction in 2015 for similar crimes.
U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero commented on the case stating, “Gallo learned nothing from his first conviction and again started seeking out those abhorrent images.” She emphasized the ongoing commitment to holding individuals accountable for perpetuating child exploitation.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse. The project involves collaboration between federal, state, and local agencies to prosecute offenders and rescue victims.
The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations along with the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Rotella is prosecuting the case.