Albany Man Pleads Guilty After Posing as Teen Online to Exploit Minor and Obstruct Federal Investigation

CONCORD, N.H. — Federal authorities announced that Brian Hargraves, 55, of Albany, New Hampshire, pleaded guilty to charges involving the possession of child sexual abuse material and obstruction of justice after investigators uncovered evidence that he allegedly posed as a teenage boy online to manipulate a minor victim into producing and sending sexually explicit material.

According to federal prosecutors, Hargraves pleaded guilty to a two-count Information charging him with Possession of and Access with Intent to View Child Pornography and Obstruction of Justice. Investigators stated the case involved deceptive online communications targeting a 16-year-old victim and subsequent attempts to interfere with the federal investigation after law enforcement intervention.

Authorities stated Hargraves was arrested in May 2025 and has remained in federal custody since his arrest.

Federal investigators said the investigation began after a citizen complaint prompted law enforcement to examine Hargraves’ mobile devices on April 29, 2025. During the forensic review, investigators reportedly discovered sexually explicit images and videos involving the underage victim.

According to court records and plea documents, Hargraves allegedly represented himself online as a teenage boy while communicating with the victim. Investigators stated he persuaded the minor to create and send sexually explicit images and videos under that false identity.

The investigation also revealed alleged communications involving additional minors, with authorities stating Hargraves continued using deceptive online personas while interacting with other underage individuals across digital platforms.

Federal authorities further alleged that after investigators searched his residence and seized electronic devices, Hargraves contacted the victim and encouraged her not to cooperate with investigators or testify against him, resulting in the obstruction charge.

U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan stated the case reflects the growing danger posed by online exploitation schemes targeting minors through false identities and deceptive digital communication.

“Brian Hargraves used the internet to take advantage of vulnerable minors,” Creegan stated. “Thanks to our law enforcement partners, his predatory and deceptive conduct was stopped and he will serve a significant prison sentence.”

Ted Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division, stated investigators remain focused on identifying offenders who exploit children through online manipulation, impersonation, and coercion.

“Brian Hargraves posed as a teenage boy to manipulate an underage girl into sharing explicit images of herself and then tried to get her to obstruct our investigation,” Docks stated. “No child should have to endure this kind of abuse.”

The case highlights the continuing expansion of online exploitation investigations involving impersonation tactics, encrypted communications, social engineering, and digital grooming operations targeting minors through internet-based platforms. Federal investigators have increasingly warned that offenders frequently exploit anonymity, fake identities, and emotionally manipulative behavior to gain trust before coercing victims into sharing explicit material.

Investigators also continue emphasizing that many offenders deliberately attempt to reduce suspicion by posing as younger individuals online, making detection more difficult for parents, guardians, and even victims themselves during early stages of contact.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation with assistance from the Carroll County Sheriff’s Department and the Conway Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Vicinanzo is prosecuting the case.

Federal authorities stated the prosecution was brought under Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide Department of Justice initiative focused on identifying, investigating, and prosecuting individuals involved in the sexual exploitation of minors, online enticement operations, and child sexual abuse material offenses.

Cases involving online exploitation continue increasing nationally as investigators encounter larger volumes of digital evidence stored across mobile devices, cloud services, encrypted messaging systems, and social media platforms. Law enforcement agencies have repeatedly warned that offenders often rely on deception, identity manipulation, and emotional coercion to target vulnerable victims while attempting to conceal their identities behind digital infrastructure.

The investigation remains part of broader federal efforts aimed at identifying offenders engaged in internet-based exploitation activity and preventing additional victimization involving minors online.

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

🔥 NOW AVAILABLE! 🔥

‎👉 Eclipsera – Apple Music

---

---

---

---

---