John Kelly, 83, of Rome, New York, has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for conspiring to receive and distribute child pornography and for possessing child pornography. The sentencing was announced by Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
Kelly previously pleaded guilty to the charges. According to court documents, he admitted that in August 2022 he conspired with Richard Hockersmith to exchange child sexual abuse material. The two mailed an SD card containing images and videos back and forth between them. During a search of Kelly’s home on February 23, 2024, authorities found numerous images and videos of child pornography on his laptop.
United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci ordered Kelly to serve a ten-year term of supervised release after his prison sentence ends and pay $15,000 in restitution. He will also be required to register as a sex offender upon release.
Hockersmith was previously sentenced on July 8, 2025, receiving six years in federal prison along with ten years of post-release supervision.
Acting U.S. Attorney Sarcone said: “It is beyond disturbing that an 83-year-old man would seek out depictions of the sexual abuse of our most vulnerable population. Thanks to the diligent work of HSI, the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office, and New York State Police, this defendant will now be spending his twilight years in federal prison—where he belongs.”
HSI Special Agent in Charge Keegan stated: “Today’s sentence underscores how coordinated, targeted investigative efforts disrupt the distribution of child sexual abuse material and ensure offenders are held accountable. Protecting children from sexual exploitation is one of HSI’s highest priorities, and we will relentlessly investigate and disrupt those who trade in child sexual abuse material. HSI Syracuse’s strong partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York—and our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners—has proven essential to holding these child predators accountable and strengthening public safety across New York.”
The investigation was led by HSI with support from the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office and New York State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adrian S. LaRochelle prosecuted the case under Project Safe Childhood.
Project Safe Childhood is a national initiative led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices aimed at combating child sexual exploitation through coordination among federal, state, and local agencies. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at https://www.justice.gov/psc.
