PROVIDENCE, RI — Robert L. MacGregor, 55, of Providence, is back behind bars on federal child pornography charges — less than five months after finishing a prison term for nearly identical crimes. The registered sex offender, already serving lifetime supervised release from a 2011 conviction for possession and distribution of child pornography, was arrested today by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (RI ICAC) task force.
MacGregor was initially sentenced to 84 months in federal prison in 2011 for possessing and distributing child sexual abuse material. Upon release, he was placed on lifetime federal supervision — a condition meant to monitor high-risk offenders. That oversight failed to prevent a repeat offense, according to court documents filed today.
On January 24, 2018, a U.S. Probation Officer conducting a routine home visit allegedly spotted disturbing content on MacGregor’s cell phone. The discovery triggered a forensic examination by the RI ICAC task force, which reportedly uncovered approximately 100 images of child pornography stored on the device. The material was sufficient to support a new criminal complaint.
MacGregor now faces federal prosecution for a second offense of child pornography possession — a charge carrying a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison, a maximum of 20 years, lifetime supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. The severity of the penalties reflects the federal government’s hardline stance on repeat offenders in sexually exploitative crimes against minors.
U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond ordered MacGregor detained without bond during today’s initial appearance. Authorities cite his criminal history and status as a high-risk offender as justification for continued custody. The case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney John P. McAdams.
The arrests were jointly announced by United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch; Michael S. Shea, Acting Special Agent in Charge of HSI New England; and Colonel Ann C. Assumpico, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police. A criminal complaint is not evidence of guilt. MacGregor is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Related Federal Cases
- Jay Gaccione, 39, Held on Child Porn Charges in Westerly · Rhode Island
- MacGregor, Llorca Indicted on Child Porn Charges · Massachusetts
- Adam C. Cobb Sentenced for Child Porn Distribution · Rhode Island
- Ryan J. Lebrun Pleads Guilty to Child Porn Charges · Rhode Island
- Warwick Man Gets 42 Months for Dark Web Child Porn Ring · Rhode Island
Key Facts
- State: Rhode Island
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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