Franklin Sex Offender Sentenced for Contempt Violation

CONCORD – A former Franklin man has been handed an additional 18 months in federal prison for contempt after flagrantly violating court orders during his sentence for possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

Zachary Cote, 26, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Samantha Elliott to serve the extra term consecutively to the 60 months he is currently serving for CSAM possession.

“The defendant flagrantly violated his conditions of release after his sentencing for possessing CSAM,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “The additional 18 months in prison will serve as a deterrent.”

Cote was released subject to certain conditions, including refraining from possessing computers or accessing the internet, after his initial arrest in September 2021. However, federal authorities received a CyberTip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) indicating that Cote had uploaded images of apparent CSAM on Snapchat before surrendering to begin his sentence.

“It is deeply concerning that this sex offender continued to engage in criminal conduct while awaiting prison,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “Today’s sentence sends a clear message.”

Cote was sentenced on January 24, 2022, and surrendered on March 4, 2022. The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Kasey Weiland prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

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