Woonsocket resident Jose Marquez Escarcega has been sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for his involvement in a child pornography ring. The 29-year-old was convicted of one count of possession of child pornography in a federal indictment returned on December 3, 2015.
The investigation began in July 2014, when the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children notified the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force that someone at Escarcega’s residence had downloaded child pornography. Following a subsequent investigation by the ICAC Task Force and HSI, a court-authorized search was executed on October 2, 2014, at Escarcega’s residence.
During the search, investigators seized a computer owned by Escarcega, which contained approximately 450 images and 40 videos of child pornography. In addition, evidence was recovered that Escarcega had contacted and paid an individual in the Philippines to provide him with a live video feed of a prepubescent female being molested.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Terrence P. Donnelly prosecuted the case. Escarcega pleaded guilty on October 31, 2016, to one count of possession of child pornography. At sentencing, U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith also ordered Escarcega to serve 20 years of supervised release upon completion of his term of incarceration.
The case was investigated by the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children played a crucial role in bringing the case to light.
In a statement, Acting United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch said, ‘The sentence imposed in this case reflects the severity of the crime and the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions.’
Jose Marquez Escarcega, 29, of Woonsocket, RI, was sentenced on January 1, 2017, to 60 months in federal prison for possession of child pornography. He pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography on October 31, 2016. The crime was committed in July 2014. This sentence is in addition to 20 years of supervised release upon completion of his term of incarceration. The case was investigated by the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
Contact: Jim Martin (401) 709-5357, USARI.Media@usdoj.gov, @USAO_RI
Related Federal Cases
- Jose Marquez Escarcega, Possession of Child Pornography, Rhode Island 2016 · Rhode Island
- Mathew E. Pasetti, Possession and Distribution of Child Pornography, Rhode Island 2015 · Rhode Island
- David A. Skally, Possession with Intent to View Child Pornography, Rhode Island 2017 · Rhode Island
- Robert L. MacGregor, Child Pornography Possession, Rhode Island 2018 · Rhode Island
- Robert L. MacGregor, Child Pornography Possession, Rhode Island 2024 · Rhode Island
Key Facts
- State: Rhode Island
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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