Boston Children's Hospital Anesthesiologist Arrested for Possession and Distribution of Child Sexual Abuse Material After HSI Investigation

BOSTON — A pediatric cardiac anesthesiologist fellow at Boston Children’s Hospital was arrested by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents and charged in federal court in Boston with possessing and distributing child sexual abuse material.

Christopher Sheerer, 35, of Boston, has been charged with one count of distribution of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. Sheerer made an initial appearance in federal court in Boston July 19 and was detained pending a hearing on July 23.

According to the charging documents, Sheerer is currently a fellow in pediatric cardiac anesthesiology at Boston Children’s Hospital and was previously a fellow in pediatric anesthesiology at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. A federal investigation began in Baltimore into a member of a group on an encrypted messaging app that required users to upload nude imagery of children known to them. According to court documents, HSI Baltimore special agents later identified Sheerer as that user. Sheerer allegedly uploaded imagery of a child known to him to gain admission to that group.

Following a search in the evening of July 19 at Sheerer’s residence in Boston, HSI Boston and HSI Baltimore agents discovered multiple chats on Sheerer’s phone, several of which allegedly contained pictures and videos appearing to be child pornography involving children as young as infants. A number of devices, including his phone, a tablet and computers, were seized and are pending forensic analysis by HSI.

Members of the public who have questions, concerns or information regarding this case should call the U.S. attorney’s office at 617-748-3274 or the HSI tip line at 877-4-HSI-TIP.

The charge of distribution of child pornography provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 20 years in prison, a mandatory minimum of five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of possession of child pornography provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and HSI New England Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol made the announcement July 19. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices in the Districts of Maryland and the Eastern District of Pennsylvania; HSI in Baltimore and Harrisburg; and the Boston Police Department.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

HSI is a global leader in the fight against child exploitation. Last year, HSI special agents dedicated 1.2 million case hours toward investigating child exploitation. This heinous crime harms the most vulnerable in our society: our kids. As technology evolves and more people have access to the internet, children are at a greater risk than ever. HSI’s special agents and analysts around the world are dedicated to countering this threat.

Report suspected child exploitation to the HSI tip line at 877-4-HSI-TIP or through the CyberTipline on the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children's website.