October 24, 2007

Man who victimized boys sentenced to more than 27 years in federal prison

NEW HAVEN, Conn. - Kevin J. O'Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that Craig A. Middlemass, 58, last residing in Portland, Conn., was sentenced today by Senior United States District Judge Ellen Bree Burns in New Haven to 327 months of imprisonment, followed by a lifetime term of supervised release. On May 2, 2007, Middlemass pleaded guilty to one count of production of child pornography, admitting that, in 2003, while living in California, he used a minor in the making of sexually explicit pictures with a digital camera and computer.

"This strict sentence is appropriate, as it will protect society from an individual who victimized boys for decades," U.S. Attorney O'Connor stated.

The investigation, which is being conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), revealed that, over several decades, Middlemass had amassed a child pornography collection containing thousands of images, many of which he produced. The collection contained child pornography in many media formats including, photographs, negatives, movies in 8mm format and 16mm format, CD's, DVD's, computer diskettes, magazines, books, buttons, personal photo albums, and digital images stored on the hard drives of his computers. Several different victims are depicted in the images, and the collection includes certain images which portray sadistic or masochistic conduct or depict other violent conduct. Middlemass also has admitted that he distributed images of child pornography to other individuals over the Internet.

According to documents filed with the Court and statements made in court, Middlemass has sexually victimized minor boys for approximately 40 years, and he induced boys as young as 8-years-old to pose naked in photographs and to engage in sexual acts. To date, the Government has identified four minor victims who are depicted in Middlemass' photographs. However, investigating agents have counted an additional 40 minor victims who have yet to be identified.

U.S. Attorney O'Connor said that there is an ongoing effort to identify Middlemass' victims. Anyone with information that may be relevant to this investigation can call 860-240-3346, extension 4112, or the ICE tip line at 866 DHS-2ICE. Middlemass is known to have resided previously in Glastonbury, Newington and New Britain, Conn.; Corona and Rancho Mirage, Calif., and Orlando and Kissimmee, Fla. Middlemass returned to Connecticut from California in 2004.

Middlemass has been detained since his arrest by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on January 23, 2007.

This case is still being investigated by ICE under its Operation Predator, which has resulted in the arrest of 10,100 individuals who have sexually exploited children. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anastasia E. King.

-- ICE --

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was established in March 2003 as the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security. ICE is comprised of five integrated divisions that form a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities.

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