Richard Hockersmith, a 65-year-old resident of Plattsburgh, New York, has been sentenced to six years in federal prison for his involvement in child pornography crimes. The sentencing was announced by United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
Hockersmith had previously pleaded guilty to conspiring with Jack Kelly to exchange child sexual abuse material. They used an SD card to mail explicit images and videos back and forth. During a search on September 12, 2024, authorities found the SD card containing these materials at Hockersmith’s residence.
In addition to imprisonment, United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci sentenced Hockersmith to a 10-year supervised release term following his prison time. He will also be required to register as a sex offender upon release.
U.S. Attorney Sarcone commented on the case: “They thought they were being sly—using the mail to trade child pornography—but it didn’t work thanks to the diligent investigative work of the agents and investigators from HSI and the New York State Police.”
Erin Keegan stated: “The defendant was sentenced for his heinous crime of receiving, possessing, and distributing child sexual abuse material.” She encouraged anyone with information about child exploitation to contact the HSI tip-line.
The investigation was conducted by HSI with help from New York State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adrian S. LaRochelle prosecuted the case under Project Safe Childhood, an initiative aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse.
