In a recent federal court case, an Amesbury man named Thomas Cross has pleaded guilty to child pornography charges. The 30-year-old admitted to one count each of distribution, receipt, and possession of child pornography. Scheduled for sentencing on November 15, 2023, Cross was charged after a search of his home in November 2018 uncovered electronic devices containing explicit material involving children. His chats with another individual, Desiree Daigle, revealed plans for sexual abuse of a child. Daigle herself was separately charged with the sexual exploitation of children and is serving a 17-year prison sentence. Cross has remained in federal custody since his arrest, and his charges carry mandatory minimum sentences of five years and up to 20 years in prison. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy announced the plea, emphasizing that this case is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse.
Amesbury Man Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography Offenses
In a recent criminal case, an Amesbury man named Thomas Cross has pleaded guilty to multiple child pornography charges. Cross, who is 30 years old, entered his guilty plea on August 18, 2023, admitting to one count each of distribution, receipt, and possession of child pornography. His sentencing date has been scheduled for November 15, 2023. This article will provide a comprehensive overview of the details surrounding Cross’s guilty plea, as well as background information on Thomas Cross, the charges and indictment he faced, the seizure of electronic devices, the involvement of Desiree Daigle, the arrest and sentencing of Daigle, Cross’s appeal of pretrial detention, the violation of conditions of release, mandatory minimum sentences, and the announcement and prosecution of the case.
Details of the Guilty Plea
Thomas Cross has pleaded guilty to three separate charges related to child pornography offenses. These charges include distribution of child pornography, receipt of child pornography, and possession of child pornography. Each charge carries significant legal consequences, including potential prison sentences and supervised release. Cross’s sentencing date has been set for November 15, 2023, where a federal district court judge will determine his punishment based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other relevant factors.
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Background Information on Thomas Cross
Thomas Cross, 30 years old, is a resident of Amesbury, Massachusetts. Little personal information has been provided about Cross in the available sources. However, it is essential to note that Cross has a previous criminal history, which may have influenced the severity of the charges he faced in relation to child pornography.
Charges and Indictment
The investigation into Thomas Cross began in November 2018 when a complaint was filed against him for child pornography offenses. Subsequently, in December 2018, a federal grand jury indicted Cross on charges related to child pornography. The charges outlined in the indictment include distribution of child pornography, receipt of child pornography, and possession of child pornography.
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Seizure of Electronic Devices
Law enforcement conducted a search of Thomas Cross’s home in November 2018, leading to the seizure of several electronic devices. During the search, authorities discovered files depicting child pornography on these devices. Additionally, chats between Cross and a person identified as Desiree Daigle were found, in which they exchanged various child pornography files. Of particular concern, some of the images involved an infant known to Daigle, taken in Daigle’s own home.
Involvement of Desiree Daigle
Desiree Daigle played a significant role in the child pornography offenses committed by Thomas Cross. She was identified as a participant in exchanging child pornography files with Cross. The chats between Cross and Daigle included discussions of their plans to sexually abuse a child together. In October 2022, Daigle was arrested and charged separately with the sexual exploitation of children. She received a sentence of 17 years in prison and five years of supervised release for her crimes.
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Arrest and Sentencing of Desiree Daigle
Following her arrest, Desiree Daigle was charged with separate offenses related to child pornography and sexual exploitation of children. In October 2022, Daigle received a sentencing of 17 years in prison and five years of supervised release.
Cross’s Appeal of Pretrial Detention
Thomas Cross was detained following his arrest in November 2018. However, he appealed the order of pretrial detention to the District Court, resulting in his release with certain conditions in July 2019. These conditions included restrictions on his internet access, possession of pornographic material, and possession of internet-accessible devices.
Violation of Conditions of Release
Unfortunately, Thomas Cross violated the conditions of his release. His violation was identified in June 2020 when a CyberTip alerted authorities to his use of social media for exchanging child pornography. Additionally, Cross was found to be in possession of multiple cell phones and an internet-connected gaming console, which were prohibited under his release conditions. As a result, Cross was re-arrested and has remained in federal custody since.
Mandatory Minimum Sentences
The charges brought against Thomas Cross carry mandatory minimum sentences. Distribution and receipt of child pornography each have a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, with a maximum sentence of 20 years. Possession of child pornography has a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. All charges also provide for a minimum of five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release. There is also the possibility of a fine of up to $250,000.
Announcement and Prosecution
The guilty plea of Thomas Cross was announced by Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Christopher DiMenna, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division. The Amesbury Police Department provided assistance in the investigation. The prosecution of the case is led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anne Paruti, who serves as the Project Safe Childhood Coordinator and Chief of the Major Crimes Unit. This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse.
In conclusion, the guilty plea of Thomas Cross to multiple child pornography charges is a significant development in the fight against child exploitation. The details of the case, including the involvement of Desiree Daigle, the violation of conditions of release, and the mandatory minimum sentences, highlight the severity of the offenses committed by Cross. The prosecution of the case demonstrates the commitment of law enforcement agencies and the judicial system to hold individuals accountable for child pornography crimes.