Waltham Man Downloads Thousands of Child Porn in 20-Year Streak

Waltham Man Downloads Thousands of Child Porn in 20-Year Streak

BOSTON – In a brazen display of depravity, Robert Daigle, 47, a Waltham man, pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to receiving child sexual abuse material (CSAM), a heinous crime that has left a trail of destruction in its wake.

Daigle’s guilty plea comes after a long and arduous investigation, which culminated in the seizure of 10 electronic devices from his residence in January 2022. A forensic examination of these devices revealed a staggering number of child pornography images and videos, with one device containing approximately 1,100 images and 900 videos, and a second device containing around 380 images.

According to court documents, Daigle admitted to downloading hundreds to thousands of CSAM for approximately 20 years, a staggering period of time that speaks to the depths of his depravity. His admissions have left authorities reeling, and sparked widespread outrage in the community.

The charge of receipt of child pornography carries a sentence of at least five years and up to 20 years in prison, as well as a fine of $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for September 11, 2024, before U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy, Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division, and Waltham Police Chief Kevin O’Connell made the announcement, which was met with a sense of relief from authorities and the community alike.

The case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in 2006 to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Through this program, federal, state, and local resources are marshaled to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Sullivan Jacobus of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case, and has vowed to see justice served. As the community continues to reel from the revelation, one thing is clear: Robert Daigle’s actions will have far-reaching consequences, and his guilty plea serves as a stark reminder of the gravity of child pornography and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable.