HARTFORD, Conn. — Nicholas Skirkanich, 45, of Ridgefield, was sentenced Sept. 5 to 36 months of imprisonment, followed by 10 years of supervised release, for a child exploitation offense uncovered during an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New England and local partners. Skirkanich was also ordered to pay a fine and assessments totaling $25,000, and restitution of $4,000. At the time of his arrest, Skirkanich was a teacher at Greenwich High School.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in October 2022, an online service provider submitted a CyberTip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children indicating that a TikTok video containing child sex abuse imagery was sent from Skirkanich’s email account to another email account. Subsequent investigation by HSI special agents revealed that Skirkanich had emailed the TikTok video to another email account he controlled, that he had also uploaded to TikTok another video of child sex abuse imagery, and that he possessed numerous other child sex abuse images on his phone.
HSI special agents arrested Skirkanich on Dec. 15, 2022. On Feb. 21, 2023, he pleaded guilty to accessing with intent to view and possessing child pornography.
Skirkanich, who is released on a $150,000 bond, is required to report to prison on Oct. 19.
This matter was investigated by HSI New England’s New Haven Resident Agent in Charge office with the assistance of the Ridgefield Police Department.
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.