Hope Valley Man In Federal Custody On Child Porn Charges

HOPKINTON, RI — A Hope Valley man was detained in federal custody after his arrest Wednesday on child pornography charges.

Christopher Leherissier, 36, allegedly downloaded child pornography while on bail related to previous arrests on sex crimes, one of which involved an alleged attempt to meet up with a 14-year-old girl.

Prosecutors say Leherissier in 2020 used the Kik social media app to communicate with a person he believed to be a young teen, but that the person was actually an undercover detective. During months of online chat, Leherissier allegedly sent sexually graphic photos of himself and asked for photos from his intended victim. In July of that year, Leherissier allegedly drove to a location where he believed he would have sex with the girl. When he arrived, he was placed under arrest. His smart phone was seized and it allegedly contained child pornography.

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Leherissier was arrested again in October 2020 after a Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force investigation alleged that he transferred child pornography using a DropBox account. Police conducted a search of his home in Hopkinton and seized numerous electronic devices. They say they found graphic images including pre-pubescent girls.

As for the new charges, police say he downloaded child pornography in March. In April, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children told police that they had received a tip that files had been transferred using an IP address associated with Leherissier’s home. After further investigation, Leherissier was arrested by task force members and Homeland Security agents.

Leherissier appeared Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Providence before Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond. He was charged with possession and distribution of child pornography and was ordered detained.

The arrest was announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Richard B. Myrus, Homeland Security Investigations Acting Special Agent in Charge William S. Walker, and Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police Colonel James M. Manni. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dulce Donovan.