WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. – A West Point cadet was arrested on campus Thursday and charged with distributing child pornography via email.
Papers filed in federal court allege the cadet, Ricky Patrick Hester, sent videos up to 15 minutes long showing young boys engaged in explicit sexual activity.
Hester, 23, of Granger, Ind., faces federal charges of distributing and possessing child pornography. If convicted of the distribution charge, he would face five to 20 years in prison.
U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said child pornography “victimizes the most vulnerable members of our society.”
The complaint alleges that Hester admitted sending child porn videos when Homeland Security Investigations agents questioned him in his West Point dorm room Wednesday.