Nicholas Sannicandro, a 34-year-old registered sex offender from North Smithfield, has been sentenced to prison for his role in a string of disturbing online crimes involving child pornography and enticement of minors.
Sannicandro pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted inducement of a minor to engage in illicit sexual activity, two counts of attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor, one count of possession and access with intent to view child pornography, and one count of commission of an offense by a registered sex offender. He was arrested at a Warwick marina on June 22, 2021, after attempting to meet with a person he believed to be a 17-year-old boy for illicit sexual activity.
According to court documents, Sannicandro began communicating with the two Florida minors through an Instagram account in January 2021. He engaged in sexually explicit conversations with each of them, asking them to send him sexually explicit videos and images of themselves. Sannicandro also sent obscene videos of himself to the minors, including one that he believed was a 17-year-old boy but was actually an undercover officer.
The FBI and North Port, FL, Police Department investigated the case, which was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Denise M. Barton and John P. McAdams. United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha praised the Rhode Island State Police, members of the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the Warwick Police Department for their assistance in the arrest of Sannicandro.
Sannicandro is scheduled to be sentenced on September 19, 2024. His sentences will be determined by a federal district judge after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of online predators and the importance of vigilance in protecting our children from exploitation. As a society, we must remain committed to holding individuals accountable for their crimes and ensuring that they are brought to justice.
In a statement, United States Attorney Cunha said, “The defendant’s actions were reprehensible and a clear violation of the trust placed in him as a registered sex offender. His guilty plea is a testament to the tireless efforts of law enforcement to protect our children from these types of threats.”
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Key Facts
- State: Rhode Island
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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