White Plains Man Gets 15 Years for Child Porn, Admits to Molesting Child in His Care

A 23-year-old White Plains man was sentenced to 15 years in prison by U.S. District Judge Cathy Seibel Thursday for possessing and circulating child pornography.

Samuel Fanelli—who was working as a babysitter for several Westchester families when the FBI arrested him in January 2011—also admitted to molesting at least one child he babysat for in his plea agreement. Fanelli plead guilty to possessing, receiving and circulating the images in July.

“Samuel Fanelli victimized children by trafficking in child pornography, and in one case, by sexually abusing a child entrusted to his care,” said U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara, in a press release. “With today’s sentence there will be one less child predator on the street.”

According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Southern District of New York, the FBI found more than 10,000 images on his computer during a search of Fanelli’s residence prior to his arrest.

Bharara also credited the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, and the New Rochelle and Larchmont Police Department for their assistance, and asks that anyone with relevant information contact the FBI’s White Plains office at (914) 989-6000.