CONCORD – About three months after he pleaded guilty in federal court to sexual exploitation of a minor, and roughly two years after a judge denied his motion to suppress all evidence FBI agents seized in his case, former Hudson resident Robert Corleto has been sentenced to 276 months – some 23 years – in federal prison.

Acting U.S. Attorney for New Hampshire John J. Farley said in a statement Tuesday that Corleto, who is also identified in some references as Roberto Corleto, used a social media account on KIK Messenger to entice and coerce a minor to take images of herself engaging in sexually explicit conduct – then, according to court documents and statements, sent at least one of those images to a person who turned out to be an undercover police officer.

Corleto, now 43, formerly of 315 Elmwood Drive in Hudson, sent that image via KIK Messenger on March 18, 2019, according to Farley.

The next day, according to federal court records, FBI agents executed a search warrant for Corleto’s then-Elmwood Drive residence and two vehicles registered to that address.

Corleto later filed a motion to suppress the evidence the FBI seized in that search, as well as statements he made to authorities at Hudson police headquarters, but a federal court judge denied the motion.

In the meantime, a grand jury indicted Corleto on one count each of sexual exploitation of a minor under 18 and transportation of child pornography.

In December 2020, Corleto agreed to plead guilty, setting the stage for his sentencing.

Farley, the acting U.S. attorney, said of the 23-year sentence handed Corleto that “thanks to this substantial prison sentence, children will be protected from Mr. Corleto for a long time.”

Farley said that during the investigation, which was conducted by the FBI and Hudson police, a forensic extraction of the contents of Corleto’s cell phone revealed “between 10 and 150 images depicting the victim, as well as other minor children.”

The case, Farley said, “demonstrates the dangers that lurk on the internet. Sadly, there are predators who use the internet to exploit children for their own sexual gratification,” he said, and reminded parents and all adults to “make sure that children understand that they must be careful when using social media.”

Added Joseph R. Bonavolonta, special agent in charge of the FBI Boston Division, “this case illustrates how easy it is for a child to be victimized in the safety of

their own home, and the need to talk to them about the steps they should take to safeguard their

safety.”

Dean Shalhoup may be reached at 594-1256 or dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com.