26-05-2025
Albany man, 54, charged with posing as teen to obtain child sexual abuse images
A 54-year-old Albany man has been charged with posing online as a teenager to obtain sexually explicit images from a 16-year-old girl, federal prosecutors said Wednesday.
Brian Hargraves was arrested last week and indicted on charges of possession of and access with intent to view child sexual abuse images. He appeared in federal court May 21.
According to court documents, law enforcement searched Hargraves's mobile phones April 29 following a complaint. Investigators found sexually explicit images and videos of the minor on one of the devices.
Prosecutors allege Hargraves met the victim online, told her he was a teenage boy and asked her to create and send him explicit videos and images of herself.
The charges carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. Federal sentencing guidelines and statutes will determine any sentence if Hargraves is convicted.
The FBI led the investigation with assistance from the Carroll County Sheriff's Department and Conway Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Vicinanzo is prosecuting the case.
The case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a Justice Department initiative launched in 2006 to protect children from exploitation and abuse.
Hargraves is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
