A Groton resident, Michael W. Landon, has pleaded guilty to child exploitation offenses, as announced by Acting United States Attorney Mark H. Silverman for the District of Connecticut. Landon, aged 38, entered his plea before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport.
Court documents reveal that Landon's iPhone was seized on April 4, 2023. Forensic analysis of the device uncovered a video showing Landon engaged in sexually explicit conduct with a minor under 12, along with additional videos of child sexual abuse.
Landon admitted guilt to the production of child pornography, which has a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 15 years and a maximum of 30 years. He also pleaded guilty to possessing and accessing child pornography, with a possible maximum sentence of 20 years. Judge Dooley has set the sentencing date for July 2.
Landon has been in detention since his arrest on related state charges on June 28, 2023.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Town of Groton Police Department conducted the investigation into this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sean P. Mahard and Nancy V. Gifford are prosecuting the case through the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative. Information about the initiative is available at www.justice.gov/psc.
Acting U.S. Attorney Silverman extended gratitude to the New London State Attorney’s Office for its role in the investigation and prosecution.
Reports of child exploitation can be made at www.cybertipline.com.