KENT- A Town of Kent resident arrested last month for allegedly having and distributing child sexual abuse materials through social media and electronic communications is now facing federal charges for sexual exploitation and sharing pornographic images of a child.
The Putnam Sheriff’s Department arrested 38-year-old Cory Matthews in mid-April.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced Friday that Matthews appeared in U.S. District Court White Plains and was ordered detained on numerous felony charges along with his co-defendant 41-year-old Beth Saiers of Lock Haven, Pa.
U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton described the couple’s alleged conduct of sharing images of Matthews engaging in sexual acts with the child as “horrific.”
Sheriff Brian Hess said his office was tipped off that Matthews was in the possession of child sexual abuse materials. “Our investigators executed a search warrant at Matthews’ home and during the investigation the suspect was found to be in the possession of an illegal firearm and a high capacity magazine,” said Hess.
The sheriff said further investigation by members of the Bureau of Criminal Investigation revealed more evidence leading to other felony sex crime charges.
Matthews faces state charges of predatory sexual assault against a child; rape; incest; use of a child in a sexual performance; promoting a sexual performance by a child; possessing a sexual performance by a child; criminal possession of a firearm and criminal possession of a weapon.
Additional federal charges lodged include sexual exploitation of a child along with the receipt and distribution of child pornography.
If found guilty, Matthews faces a maximum 50-year sentence in a federal penitentiary.
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