David Crisostomi, Child Pornography, Rhode Island 2012

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – In a shocking turn of events, David Crisostomi, a 37-year-old man from East Providence, Rhode Island, has pleaded guilty to three counts of using a minor to manufacture child pornography and one count each of possessing and distributing child pornography.

According to court documents, Crisostomi admitted to the court that he had participated in the recording of child pornography with a prepubescent minor on at least three occasions. He also admitted to downloading and sharing child pornography with others.

In January 2012, an undercover FBI agent observed Crisostomi sharing two folders containing child pornography online. Just three days later, the same agent observed Crisostomi sharing four folders containing child pornography.

On February 16, 2012, agents from the FBI and the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force executed a federal search warrant at Crisostomi’s residence, seizing numerous images and videos depicting child pornography, computers, and other electronic devices.

Crisostomi has been detained in federal custody since his arrest on February 16, 2012, and is scheduled to be sentenced on May 29, 2013. At sentencing, he faces a minimum statutory sentence of 15 years imprisonment and up to 30 years imprisonment for using a minor to produce child pornography, a minimum statutory sentence of 5 years imprisonment and up to 20 years imprisonment for distribution of child pornography, and up to 10 years imprisonment for possessing child pornography.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John P. McAdams as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island, the FBI’s Boston Field Office, and the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force are working together to bring Crisostomi to justice.

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