Lawrence Boone, a 28-year-old from Syracuse, has been sentenced to 168 months in federal prison for charges related to the distribution, receipt, and possession of child pornography. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, Erin Keegan of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Buffalo Field Office, and New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James.
Boone engaged in sending and receiving child pornography via a smartphone messaging app between August and November 2023. Authorities found over 3,000 files on four electronic devices at the time of his arrest. These files included images depicting prepubescent minors and acts involving sadistic and masochistic conduct.
United States Chief District Judge Brenda K. Sannes mandated Boone to serve an additional 15 years of supervised release post-incarceration. He must also forfeit the devices used in committing the crime and will be required to register as a sex offender upon release.
The investigation was conducted by HSI, the NYSP Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the NYSP Troop D Computer Crime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Gillis prosecuted the case under Project Safe Childhood.
Initiated by the Department of Justice in May 2006, Project Safe Childhood is led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and aims to prosecute individuals exploiting children online while rescuing victims.
For more details about Project Safe Childhood, visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.