Theodore Tucci gets 10 years of probation in child porn case

The son of the man acquitted in the murder of Craig Rideout was sentenced Friday to 10 years probation for possessing child pornography that may not have been found if not for the investigation of his father.

Theodore Tucci, who was 19 when charged, was given youthful offender status and his record is sealed. Because of youthful offender adjudication, Tucci will not have to register as a sex offender. However, he will have to follow all the rules of sex offender probation.

Tucci did not address Monroe County Court Judge Sam Valleriani at sentencing. His attorney, Joseph Damelio, said Tucci “is remorseful and takes responsibility for his actions. … I don’t think you’ll see any problems with my client in the future.”

Sheriff deputies found evidence of the possession of a sexual performance by a child while they were investigating the home of his father, Paul Tucci, as part of the probe into the death of Rideout.

It is not unusual for images to exist for years before being found by authorities.

Theodore Tucci, who was living in North Carolina but was visiting his family’s Perinton home, was charged in November 2016 with possession of a sexual performance by a child.

Paul Tucci was indicted with Laura, Colin, and Alexander Rideout in connection with the murder of Craig Rideout. Paul Tucci was the only one found not guilty of any charge.

Monroe County Assistant District Attorney Leslie Schildt said if not for the investigation into Paul Tucci in relation to the Rideout case, she doubted the images alleged to belong to Theodore Tucci would have been found. She said she could not get into details because of Theodore Tucci’s youthful offender status.

Theodore Tucci previously pleaded guilty to one count He did not have any family members with him at the sentencing Friday.

More: Rideout jurors: Why Paul Tucci was acquitted

Schildt and Damelio said the number of images that Theodore Tucci was alleged to have were fairly low. Damelio said that youthful offender status is not unusual in cases such as Tucci’s.

“I don’t want anyone to get the impression this is a case where someone got special attention,” Damelio said. “I would argue just the opposite. But the law provides youthful offender adjudication is appropriate.”

Schildt said there are about 15 pages of rules for the probation. She said the terms allow law enforcement to search Theodore Tucci’s home, phone or computer at any time and without a warrant, allow him to be observed without his knowledge and put limits on where he can go.

“This is not a slap on the hand probation,” Damelio said.

Includes reporting by staff writer Will Cleveland.

PSINGER@Gannett.com