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WASHINGTON — A Navy chief petty officer has been confined to the Pearl Harbor naval brig on Ford Island in Hawaii after pleading guilty to charges of child sexual abuse and possessing child pornography, according to a Navy spokeswoman.

Matthew Lee Richardson, a cryptologic technician [collection] at U.S. Pacific Fleet, pleaded guilty at a Dec. 10 court-martial to two counts of sexual abuse of a child and one count for possessing child pornography, according to Lydia Robertson, a spokeswoman for Navy Region Hawaii.

A redacted charge sheet from Navy Region Hawaii states that between October 2018 and March 2019 in Oahu, Richardson encouraged a child younger than 16 years old “to take her underwear off and walk around the room.” The charge sheet also states that in March he intentionally touched the genitalia and buttocks of a child younger than 16 years old “with an intent to gratify his sexual desire.”

His possession of child pornography charge was from April 27, 2018, according to the document.

Richardson was sentenced to eight years of confinement, a reduction in rank to E-1, and a dishonorable discharge by military judge, Capt. Ann Minami, Robertson said.

As part of a pre-trial agreement, Richardson’s confinement was reduced to five years. Where Richardson will serve the bulk of his confinement has not been determined, Robertson said.

Upon his release, Richardson will be required to register as a sex offender.

Richardson, a native of Virginia, enlisted in the Navy on April 20, 2004, and he arrived at U.S. Pacific Fleet on Oct. 3, 2016, according to his military record provided by the Navy.

Kenney.Caitlin@stripes.com Tweiier: @caitlinmkenney

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