Albany Resident Indicted for Child Pornography Crimes

ALBANY, NEW YORK - Stephen Brisee a/k/a Sage Brisee, age 30, of Albany, was indicted earlier this week for distributing, receiving and possessing child pornography.

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Matthew Scarpino, Special Agent in Charge of the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Buffalo, New York Field Office, made the announcement.

A criminal complaint, previously filed in this case, alleges that Brisee distributed videos depicting adults sexually abusing girls as young as infants. The charges in the indictment and complaint are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

If convicted on all charges, Brisee faces at least 15 years and up to 40 years in prison; a fine of up to $250,000; and a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life. Brisee may also be ordered to forfeit the devices used to commit the crimes, and to pay restitution to victims. A defendant's sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors. Brisee would also be required to register as a sex offender upon release from prison.

Brisee has been ordered detained pending trial.

HSI is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Reiner is prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Childhood.

Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney's offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.