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(1:55 PM) City Man Pleads Guilty To Production, Possession Of Child Pornography

A Jamestown man has pleaded guilty to production and possession of child pornography.

U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy Jr. on Thursday announced that 37-year-old James A. Chapman had made the plea before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum of 40 years, and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango, who is handling the case, stated that on Nov. 24, 2014, Chapman and a victim communicated via Facebook Messenger about engaging in sexual activity.

“During the communications, the defendant offered to pay Victim 1 and one of her friends $60 each to have sex with him. Victim 1 stated that she was 16-years-old and that her friend was the same age. Later that evening, Victim 1 and Victim 2 went to Chapman’s residence in Jamestown, and the defendant engaged in sexual intercourse with them, after which Chapman paid each victim $60,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

Following the sexual activity, Chapman allegedly used his cellphone to take a picture of both victims completely nude sitting on his bed. A review of Chapman’s Facebook accounts revealed that he then distributed the photograph, which constitutes child pornography, to four other individuals.

Subsequently, on April 7, 2017, Chapman allegedly began communicating with another victim, who was 17-years-old, through Facebook.

“During their communications, Chapman requested and received a sexually explicit image of Victim 3. The defendant then sent the image, which constitutes child pornography, to another individual. In addition, Chapman sent Victim 3 the sexually explicit image he took of Victim 1 and Victim 2.”

The plea is the result of an investigation by the FBI and Jamestown Police Department.

Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 16 before Judge Vilardo.

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