Sex Offender Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison on Child Pornography Charge

MOBILE, AL - William Bradley Noletto, age 44, was sentenced today to 10 years in prison after entering a guilty plea to Possession of Child Pornography. Noletto entered his guilty plea on May 15, 2024.

According to court documents, in October 2021 and May 2022 the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children ("NCMEC") received a tip from an internet service provider that files containing child pornography had been uploaded by a user with an email address associated with Noletto. In February 2023, members of the Mobile County Sheriff's Office ("MCSO") executed a search warrant at Noletto's residence. A number of devices were seized and examined. There were approximately 2500 images and 300 videos of child pornography found. Noletto was initially charged with state crimes and was released on bond.

On August 4, 2023, an MCSO deputy was conducting an online investigation to identify people who were sharing child pornography online. The deputy was able to download two files of suspected child pornography from a local internet user and was then able to identify that user as Noletto. In September 2023 members of the MCSO executed a second search warrant at Noletto's address. Multiple electronic devices were seized. An exam of the cell phone belonging to Noletto revealed approximately 50 images of child pornography.

At his plea, Noletto admitted that he possessed over 600 images/videos of child pornography, including images of prepubescent children. Noletto received an enhanced sentence because he had previously been convicted in Mobile County Circuit Court of Attempted Sexual Abuse of a Child Less than 12.

At sentencing, Judge DuBose imposed a 120-month sentence of incarceration, with credit for time served, and a twenty-year term of supervised release upon Noletto's discharge from prison. During his term of supervised release, Noletto will be subject to sex offender treatment, substance abuse testing and treatment as well has mental health treatment. Noletto will be required to register as a sex offender and is to have no contact with minors. Noletto was ordered to pay $100 in special assessments.

Mobile County Sheriff's Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kacey Chappelear and Beth Stepan prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc/publications-resources