Preston man charged with sharing photos and videos of children being sexually abused
A Preston man is facing child pornography charges after allegedly sharing photos and videos of children being sexually abused, officials said.
Joel Huntsman — also known as”Jay Huntsman, “Joel Feser,” and “Jay Blackburn” — was charged Wednesday with distribution of child pornography and possession of child pornography, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office.
In June 2022, Huntsman, 34, allegedly sent photos and videos of children being sexually abused to another user on the mobile messenger app Kik. The app flagged the content to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children through a CyberTip, records show.
On Nov. 2, 2022, the Federal Bureau of Investigation searched Huntsman’s home in a court-authorized search. They seized two cell phones from the house and allegedly found child pornography on them, officials said.
Huntsman was arrested on Wednesday and appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector in New Haven, who ordered him to be detained, officials said.
Both charges he faces carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office.
