Wellesley man sentenced to five years in Calif. for conspiracy to distribute child pornography

By Globe Staff

A 24-year-old Wellesley man was sentenced today in Los Angeles to five years in prison, followed by 20 years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute child pornography, federal authorities announced.

Joseph Tierney pleaded guilty in August. He was sentenced by US District Judge Virginia A. Phillips.

The sentencing was the result of an international investigation into the “Lost Boy” bulletin board, which was set up to share child pornography, according to a statement released by Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer, US Attorney Andre Birotte Jr. of the Central District of California, and Steve Martinez, assistant director in charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles field office.

The bulletin board was shut down about three years ago by federal authorities working with international law enforcement agencies. Sixteen people were charged in the United States. Fifteen have pleaded guilty and one has died. Six additional men have also been charged with child molestation, authorities said.