Preston Man Pleads Guilty To Distributing Child Pornography

Wednesday, September 10, 2025, 12:45 P.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

NEW HAVEN, CT.- A 37-year-old Preston, Connecticut, man will be facing up to 20 years in federal prison when sentenced later this year, after pleading guilty yesterday in Federal Court in New Haven, Connecticut, to distributing digital images and video files depicting the sexual exploitation and abuse of children.

     According to U.S. Attorney David X. Sullivan, on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, Joel Huntsman, also known as “Jay Huntsman,” “Joel Feser,” and “Jay Blackburn,” 37, of Preston, Connecticut, appeared in the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut and pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Victor A. Bolden to Distribution of Child Pornography.

     Following entering his guilty plea, Judge Bolden accepted the plea and deferred sentencing for a time and date to be scheduled by the District Court. At the time of sentencing, Huntsman faces a mandatory minimum of five years and up to years in federal prison, at least five years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. When sentenced, a U.S. District Court Judge will determine the term of imprisonment based on the seriousness of the offense and Huntsman’s prior criminal history.

According To The Charging Information Filed With The District Court

     According to the charging information filed with the District Court, in June 2022, the Kik Instant Mobile Messaging application submitted a CyberTip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, regarding a user, later identified as Huntsman, who had distributed digital images and video files depicting child pornography to another user on the Kik Messaging application.

     On November 2, 2022, Investigators from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Connecticut State Police executed a court-authorized search warrant at Huntsman’s residence in Preston, Connecticut. During the search, Investigators seized multiple electronic devices. A subsequent forensic examination of the devices uncovered numerous digital images and video files depicting child pornography. Huntsman was arrested on January 28, 2023. 

     U.S. Attorney Sullivan commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Connecticut State Police, which led to the arrest and Huntsman’s guilty plea on Tuesday.