Athol Man Arrested for Sexual Exploitation of Minors and Receipt and Possession of Child Pornography

BOSTON – An Athol, Mass. man has been arrested and charged for sexually exploiting minors and receiving and possessing child sexual abuse materials (CSAM). Defendant allegedly convinced minors to send CSAM over Snapchat.

Michael Indelicato, 41, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Worcester on one count of sexual exploitation of a minor, aiding and abetting; one count of sexual exploitation of a minor; two counts of receipt of child pornography; and one count of possession of child pornography. Indelicato was arrested on Oct. 7, 2025 and remains in federal custody.

According to court records, on or about Nov. 16, 2020, Indelicato told an individual over Snapchat that he would pay the individual $1,500 to make CSAM of the individual’s younger sibling, a pre-pubescent minor, and to send them to Indelicato. It is alleged that Indelicato convinced the individual to make the CSAM and Indelicato received it from the individual over Snapchat. Later, on or about Jan. 12, 2021, Indelicato allegedly convinced a different minor over Snapchat to make and send him CSAM of the minor, which Indelicato received from the minor over Snapchat. Further, on May 1, 2025, a search warrant was executed at Indelicato’s home, where allegedly a large amount of CSAM belonging to Indelicato was found.  

The charge of sexual exploitation of a minor provides for a sentence of at least 15 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of receipt of child pornography provides for a sentence of at least five years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of possession of child pornography provides for a sentence of up to 20 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 court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan O’Shea of the Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.