A New York man admits he sexually abused an 8-year-old girl for months so he could film the act

An Upstate New York man has admitted to sexually assaulting a young girl several times over seven months “with the intent to photograph and videotape the abuse,” federal prosecutors said Thursday.

Thomas Berrington, 33, of the Albany suburb of Colonie, pleaded guilty Wednesday to two counts of sexual exploitation of a child, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York said in a news release.

Berrington was arrested earlier this year following an investigation led by the FBI’s Albany Division Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, in conjunction with members of state and local law enforcement.

He was initially charged with predatory sexual assault of a child, criminal sexual act, use of a child under the age of 17 in a sexual performance and possession of a sexual performance by a child.

As part of his guilty plea, Berrington admitted sexually assaulting the young victim ‘repeatedly’ between June 2023 and January 2024.

Prosecutors say the girl was just 8 years old when the abuse began.

Berrington faces between 15 and 60 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. He also faces a period of post-release supervision ranging from five years to life in prison and will be required to register as a sex offender.

He will be sentenced on January 30.