Ledyard Man Accused Of Possessing Child Sex Abuse Images, Videos: Feds

LEDYARD, CT — A local man is accused of having more than 18,000 images and 1,400 videos depicting child sex abuse on his hard drive - while on probation for a prior child pornography conviction.

Jason Gibson, 45, has been charged with possession of child pornography, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office.

Gibson appeared in U.S. District Court in Hartford for the new charge on Thursday.

Gibson’s original conviction dates back to February 2020. He was convicted in state court of possession of child pornography and sentenced to 10 years of incarceration, suspended after 30 months, and 10 years of probation, federal prosecutors said.

When police initially began investigating Gibson, he had been an assistant research professor at the University of Connecticut, court documents show, though he no longer works there.

Gibson was released from state custody in January 2021. He later violated the conditions of his release, which prompted officials to revoke his probation. He was subsequently sentenced to 90 months imprisonment, suspended after six months, and 94 months of probation. He was released from state custody again in August 2023.

In March 2024, state probation officers made a routine visit to Gibson’s home and seized an unapproved cellphone that contained a dark web application, according to the government. Analysis of the phone revealed more than 200 child sex abuse images and videos, and text messages with links to access child pornography on the dark web, prosecutors said.

Probation officers visited Gibson’s home on April 2, 2025 and seized an external hard drive, which had more than 18,000 images and 1,400 videos depicting child sex abuse, according to the government. Court documents show some images included infants and toddlers.

This latest possession charge carries a mandatory minimum term of 10 years imprisonment, and a maximum of 20 years. According to the U.S. Attorney’s office, the potential penalties are higher due Gibson’s prior state conviction.