A West Bridgewater man was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly receiving child pornography from an online communication application.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office says that an investigation into an internet-based communications application used for the trafficking of child pornography identified 23-year-old Juan Levano as a likely user of the platform who participated in at least two groups where child pornography was disseminated.
Investigators executed search warrants at Levano’s residence and various electronic devices were seized.
Charging documents say Levano rented a room at the residence, which is registered as a residential daycare.
Both Levano and the owner of the residence denied that he worked at the residential daycare and say he had no contact with the children who attend it.
Officials say he allegedly admitted to being a member of several groups on the chat application and obtaining child pornography from those groups – and that he had a collection with imagery of children ranging from infancy to 13 years old.
Forensic analysis of the seized devices is ongoing.
Levano was charged by criminal complaint with one count of receipt of child pornography and, following an initial appearance in federal court in Boston, remains in federal custody.
The charge of receipt of child pornography provides for a sentence of at least five years and up to 20 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $ 250,000.
Anyone with information regarding this case is being asked to call 617-748-3274.
