SNOW HILL — Two local men were convicted in separate child pornography trials last week with one sentenced to five years in prison.
After a two-day trial last week, a Worcester County Circuit Court jury convicted Daniel Brynan Kerstetter, 56, of Berlin, on 28 counts of distribution and possession of child pornography. Kerstetter was sentenced to 10 years, all but five years of which was then suspended.
Kerstetter was arrested last July when Worcester County Sheriff’s deputies, working in cooperation with the Department of Homeland Security and the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation (WCBI), executed a search warrant on his residence on Libertytown Rd. in Berlin. The search warrant was the result of several months of prior investigation which revealed someone in the residence was downloading and sharing pictures and videos of child pornography.
Kerstetter was identified as the lone occupant of the residence. At the home, multiple hard drives and computers were recovered containing images and videos depicting minors involved in sexual acts. During the two-day trial last week, Worcester County Circuit Court Judge Richard Bloxom described the pictures and videos as “probably the most revolting images I have ever seen.”
On the same day, Gregory James Carr, 41, of Ocean City, was also found guilty in a different courtroom in front of Judge Thomas C. Groton. Carr was found guilty of secretly recording his girlfriend’s minor child as the juvenile used the bathroom in his house. Carr’s bond was revoked pending the outcome of a pre-sentence investigation. Sentencing has been set for July 14. Regardless, Carr will be required to register as a Tier I Sex Offender for the next 15 years because the victim was under the age of 18.
“In no corner of our community will these types of detestable individuals be allowed to corrupt and victimize the most vulnerable of us,” said Worcester County State’s Attorney Beau Oglesby following the two successful convictions last week. “Let these cases, and the many like them that we prosecute, be a reminder to those who may think that their computer screens and secret cell phone recorders keep them anonymous. You’re not and we’re watching.”
Oglesby praised the allied agencies involved along with Assistant State’s Attorney Diane Cuilhe.
“These victories are testament to the outstanding and tireless efforts of law enforcement,” he said.