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Acton Man Indicted on Child Pornography Charges
An Acton resident has been charged with child pornography after a federal investigation uncovered his alleged involvement in the distribution of explicit child content. Kenneth Howell, 49, was indicted on one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.
The investigation began in April 2015, when federal agents discovered chat messages exchanged between Howell and another individual. The messages revealed that Howell was paying to view sex acts performed by minors in the Philippines over the Internet.
Law enforcement executed a search warrant at Howell’s home in May 2015, during which he admitted to downloading, saving, and distributing child pornography. He claimed to have been trading images of child pornography for four to five years.
A preliminary review of Howell’s computer revealed over 100 videos of child pornography. The charges against him carry a mandatory minimum term of five years and no greater than 20 years in prison, along with a fine of $250,000 and up to a lifetime of supervised release.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eve A. Piemonte of the U.S. Attorney’s Major Crimes Unit. The investigation was a part of the Project Safe Childhood initiative, a nationwide effort to protect children from exploitation and abuse.
The details contained in the indictment are allegations, and Howell is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The case is being brought as part of a larger effort to combat child exploitation and abuse.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office, led by Carmen M. Ortiz, worked closely with the Massachusetts State Police and the Acton Police Department to bring this case to fruition. The case is a reminder of the importance of ongoing efforts to protect children from exploitation and abuse.
Key Facts
- State: Massachusetts
- Category: Sex Crimes|Cybercrime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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