Francis Castellino, Child Pornography Distribution, MA 2024

BOSTON — A 19-year-old Natick man is behind bars, facing federal charges after admitting he ran a Kik chat group dedicated to trading child pornography. Francis Castellino was arrested today and charged with one count of distribution of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Boston.

Castellino remains in federal custody after agreeing to voluntary detention during a court appearance before Magistrate Judge Marianne B. Bowler. Authorities moved swiftly after executing a search warrant at his Natick home, part of an ongoing probe into online child exploitation networks using encrypted messaging platforms like Kik.

Court records reveal Castellino confessed to law enforcement that he acted as a moderator for a Kik chat group where users exchanged graphic images and videos of child sexual abuse. Investigators conducted a preliminary forensic analysis on his cell phone at the scene—data confirmed his involvement and the presence of illegal material.

The distribution charge carries a mandatory minimum of five years and up to 20 years in prison. The possession charge allows for up to 10 years behind bars. Both charges also expose Castellino to a mandatory minimum of five years—and potentially a lifetime—of supervised release, along with fines up to $250,000. A final sentence will be determined by a federal judge applying U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutory factors.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anne Paruti and Sandra S. Bower of the Major Crimes Unit. The announcement was made jointly by United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Michael Shea, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations.

This case falls under Project Safe Childhood, a national initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat child exploitation. The program unites federal, state, and local agencies to hunt down offenders, rescue victims, and dismantle networks that profit from the abuse of children. More information is available at www.projectsafechildhood.gov.