Orleans Predator Argo Faces Decades for Child Porn

BOSTON – Anthony Argo, 33, of Orleans, Massachusetts, is facing a potential lifetime behind bars after being arrested on charges of possessing horrific child pornography. The arrest, announced today by federal authorities, lays bare another predator lurking in our communities, exploiting the most vulnerable.

Argo was charged with possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and made an initial appearance in federal court in Boston yesterday. Charging documents reveal investigators identified Argo as a user on a chat application actively seeking out and sharing depraved content involving minors. This wasn’t a passive collection; Argo was allegedly engaging with this material.

A search of Argo’s residence uncovered an SD card crammed with over 100 video files depicting child pornography. The alleged victims in these files were as young as infants. This isn’t just about images; it’s about the irreversible damage inflicted upon these children, and the enabling of a horrific cycle of abuse. The sheer volume of material suggests a sustained and deliberate pattern of exploitation.

This isn’t Argo’s first brush with the law. Court records show a disturbing history, including a prior conviction in Barnstable District Court for indecent assault and battery on a person 14 or over, and separate convictions in Orleans District Court for kidnapping, enticement of a child under 16, and distributing obscene matter to a minor. This pattern of predatory behavior paints a chilling portrait of a repeat offender.

Due to his extensive criminal history, Argo now faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, with a maximum of 20 years. He also faces at least five years – potentially a lifetime – of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The sentence will be determined by a federal district court judge, guided by U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and federal statutes.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England, spearheaded the investigation, which falls under Project Safe Childhood – a nationwide initiative to combat child sexual exploitation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Maynard of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case. It’s a grim reminder that these predators are out there, and law enforcement is working to bring them to justice. Readers are reminded that the details in the charging documents are allegations, and Argo is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at https://www.justice.gov/psc.