Nola Reporter

A New Orleans man, Joy Joseph Banerjee, aged 57, pled guilty on July 18, 2024, to possession of prepubescent child pornography. The charge is a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252(a)(4)(b). Banerjee faces a maximum sentence of twenty years imprisonment and a fine up to $250,000 or the greater of twice the gross gain to the defendant or twice the gross loss to any person of the offense under Title 18, United States Code, Section 3571. Additionally, he faces supervised release for no less than five years and up to life following his prison term and must pay a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.

The case originated from an online child sexual abuse material investigation by the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) took over the investigation and executed a federal search warrant at Banerjee's New Orleans home in April 2023. HSI's investigation revealed that Banerjee knowingly possessed images and videos depicting the sexual exploitation of prepubescent minors.

Sentencing is scheduled for October 15, 2024, before United States District Judge Susie Morgan.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet while also identifying and rescuing victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans commended the work of Homeland Security Investigations; the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office; and the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation in this matter. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba, Project Safe Childhood Coordinator and Chief of Financial Crimes Unit.