Cranston Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Possessing and Distributing Child Pornography

A Cranston man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for possessing and distributing child pornography, according to a recent federal court ruling.

Robert E. Soares, 41, was arrested in May 2018 on state kidnapping, indecent exposure, and domestic violence charges. A subsequent investigation revealed that Soares had persuaded a 14-year-old girl to allow him to take photographs and a video of her dressed only in her underwear.

The images, which were created in a makeshift movie set in Soares’ basement, were later distributed to a friend, often referred to as Soares’ ‘pervy pic’ of the day. Soares pleaded guilty to federal charges of distribution of child pornography and possession of child pornography on November 22, 2019.

U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith sentenced Soares to a term of incarceration of 120 months in federal prison and lifetime federal supervised release. Soares’ federal sentence is to be served consecutive to his term of incarceration in state prison.

Soares was previously convicted on state assault, robbery, and drug charges. He pleaded nolo contendere in state court on September 13, 2018, to domestic violence – kidnapping, and was sentenced to 15 years in prison – 3 years to serve, 12 years suspended.

The case was investigated by the Cranston Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations. The matter was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Denise M. Barton.

The exact date of the crime was August 21, 2017, until September 22, 2017, and from mid-February 2018 through May 16, 2018. The city and state involved in the case are Cranston, Rhode Island.

Robert E. Soares’ exact criminal charges include possession of child pornography and distribution of child pornography. Soares’ sentence is 10 years in federal prison, which is to be served consecutive to his term of incarceration in state prison. No dollar amounts were mentioned in the source.

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