Shelton Man Admits Producing Child Sex Abuse Images

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ROSS DeLIBRO, 54, of Shelton, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to child exploitation offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in March 2024, a detective assigned to the Connecticut State Police Computer Crimes Unit began an investigation into the sharing of child sex abuse images and videos over a peer-to-peer file sharing network. The investigation revealed that an internet protocol (IP) address assigned to DeLibro's residence in Shelton had been used to download child sex abuse videos. On May 1, 2024, investigators conducted a court-authorized search of DeLibro's residence and seized his Apple MacBook Air, his iPhone, an external hard drive, and other items. Analysis of the seized items revealed image and video files depicting male children being sexually abused, including two images in which DeLibro appears engaging in sexually explicit conduct with a toddler.

DeLibro pleaded guilty to production of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years, and possession of child pornography, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. Judge Underhill scheduled sentencing for August 14.

DeLibro has been detained since his arrest on related state charges on June 11, 2024.

This matter has been investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Connecticut State Police, with the assistance of the Shelton Police Department and the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection's Division of Scientific Services. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel George and Nancy Gifford.

U.S. Attorney Sullivan thanked the State's Attorney for the Judicial District of Ansonia/Milford for its cooperation in investigating and prosecuting this matter.

This prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice's Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

To report cases of child exploitation, please visit https://www.cybertipline.com.

The U.S. Attorney's Office Victim Advocate can be reached at usact.vns@usdoj.gov or 203-696-3039.