A Potsdam man has been sentenced to 19 years in federal prison for multiple child pornography offenses. Richard LaPage, 52, received the sentence on February 25, 2026, after pleading guilty to one count of distribution of child pornography, one count of receipt of child pornography, and four counts of possession of child pornography.
According to court records, LaPage admitted that between December 2023 and October 2024 he used smartphone social networking applications to send and receive files containing child pornography. Investigators found over 150 images and videos depicting child sexual abuse on four electronic devices belonging to LaPage. In addition, it was noted that he had a previous conviction from April 25, 2010, for attempted criminal sexual act in the first degree involving an attempt by an adult to engage in sexual contact with a child under the age of 13.
First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III commented: “The defendant, already a registered sex offender, again engaged in disgusting criminal conduct that revictimized the children whose abuse was depicted in the images he distributed, received, and possessed. Repeat sex offenders should know that this Office will stop at nothing to ensure they are identified, prosecuted, and removed from our communities. I commend our law enforcement partners’ work to keep our communities safe from this dangerous predator.”
Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of the HSI Buffalo Field Office stated: “Richard LaPage’s sentencing today is another example of holding repeat child predators accountable for their reprehensible crimes against innocent children. HSI Massena, together with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York and our local partners, relentlessly pursued this case to ensure LaPage could no longer threaten our communities. We remain unwavering in our mission to protect children and will continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our partners to root out those who prey on the vulnerable.”
Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes also imposed a term of supervised release lasting 15 years following LaPage’s imprisonment and ordered him to pay restitution to victims. Upon his release from prison, LaPage will be required once again to register as a sex offender.
The investigation involved Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), New York State Police Computer Crimes Unit (CCU), Potsdam Police Department and St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Gillis.
Project Safe Childhood is a national initiative aimed at addressing child sexual exploitation online by coordinating efforts among federal prosecutors’ offices as well as state and local agencies. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at https://www.justice.gov/psc.
