Jose Marquez Escarcega, Possession of Child Pornography, Rhode Island 2016

Woonsocket Resident Sentenced for Possession of Child Pornography

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A Woonsocket resident has been sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for possessing child pornography, announced Acting United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch; Rhode Island State Police Superintendent Ann C. Assumpico; and Matthew J. Etre, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) for New England.

Jose Marquez Escarcega, 29, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for possession of child pornography, followed by 20 years of supervised release upon completion of his term of incarceration. Escarcega pleaded guilty on October 31, 2016, to one count of possession of child pornography, as charged in a federal indictment returned on December 3, 2015.

According to information presented to the court, in July 2014, 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 downloaded child pornography. A subsequent investigation by the ICAC Task Force and HSI led to a court-authorized search of Escarcega’s residence on October 2, 2014.

A forensic analysis of a computer owned by Escarcega revealed approximately 450 images and 40 videos of child pornography. Investigators also recovered evidence that Escarcega had contacted and paid an individual in the Philippines to provide him with a live video feed as a prepubescent female was molested.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Terrence P. Donnelly prosecuted the case.

The case was investigated by the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New England.

Contact: Jim Martin (401) 709-5357, USARI.Media@usdoj.gov, @USAO_RI on Twitter

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