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WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- The United States Attorney's Office announced Wednesday that a White Plains man who worked as a babysitter around the county was sentenced to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to charges of possessing, receiving and distributing child pornography.
U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said Samuel Fanelli's sentencing meant there "will be one less child predator on the street."
"Samuel Fanelli victimized children by trafficking in child pornography and, in one case, by sexually abusing a child entrusted to his care," said Fanelli.
Fanelli, 23, was working as a babysitter for "numerous" Westchester families when Federal Bureau of Investigation agents arrested him on Jan. 28, the US Attorney's office said. He admitted to molesting at least one of the children he supervised, according to the U.S. Attorney's office.
FBI agents said they found more than 10,000 images and videos of child pornography on Fanelli's computer while searching his home. Law enforcement officials said Fanelli distributed and downloaded the porn on a peer network.
The New Rochelle and Larchmont police departments teamed up with the Westchester District Attorneys Office to help the FBI. Anyone with relevant information about Fanelli should contact the FBI in White Plains at (914) 989-6000.
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