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Lowell Man Charged with Child Pornography Charge
BOSTON – Chayanne Nieves, a 23-year-old man from Lowell, Massachusetts, was arrested yesterday and charged with one count of receipt of child pornography. Nieves allegedly received child pornography over Snapchat, a social media platform used by millions of users worldwide.
According to the charging document, from around November 30, 2020, until December 3, 2020, Nieves communicated on Snapchat with an 11-year-old girl in Vermont. During those communications, Nieves threatened and extorted the victim to send him nude photographs of herself. A search of Nieves’s residence in Lowell revealed that the Snapchat account used to communicate with the child was his.
Nieves is a Level 3 registered sex offender, and the charge of receipt of child pornography carries a sentence of at least 15 years and up to 40 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell, Matthew B. Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, and Colonel Matthew Birmingham, Director of the Vermont State Police, made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Lowell Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Dell’Anno of Mendell’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Members of the public who have questions, concerns, or information regarding this case should call 617-748-3274.
The details contained in the criminal complaint are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Nieves was detained pending a probable cause and detention hearing scheduled for August 24, 2021, before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge David H. Hennessy. The case highlights the ongoing threat of child predators and the importance of reporting suspicious activity to law enforcement agencies.
Key Facts
- State: Massachusetts
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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