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Press Release

Cape Cod Man Facing Child Pornography Charges

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Massachusetts
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BOSTON – At a detention hearing in U.S. District Court in Boston today, a magistrate judge ordered a Cape Cod man, facing child pornography charges, held until further notice.

Adam Polakowski, 45, of West Yarmouth, is charged in a criminal complaint with distribution and possession of child pornography. Polakowski, who has worked sporadically as a house painter, was arrested by federal agents on January 14. Magistrate Judge Jennifer Boal took the government’s request to have Polakowski held, under advisement. He is currently being held in the custody of the U.S. Marshal’s. No new court date has been scheduled.

According to court documents, federal agents identified a man in Arizona that was trading child pornography with an individual later identified as Polakowski. In addition to trading child pornography, Polakowski discussed his desire to violently abduct and rape pre-pubescent girls.

On January 14, agents executed a search warrant at Polakowski’s home in West Yarmouth. During the time of the search, Polakowski was present, indicated he resided alone, and admitted that his computer contained child pornography. Polakowski further admitted that the email addresses were his and that he had traded the child pornography as indicated. During the execution of the search warrant, agents also recovered digital devices containing more than 800 images of child pornography, young girls’ underwear, and unopened children’s toys. Agents also identified items that Polakowski indicated in emails that he intended to use to carry out his violent plans, including his white cargo van, as well as the tape, rope cord, and baseball bat contained inside.

If convicted, Polakowski faces a minimum of five and a maximum of 20 years in prison, a minimum of five years and a maximum of lifetime supervised release and a $250,000 fine on the charge of distribution of child pornography. Polakowski faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a minimum of five years and a maximum of lifetime supervised release and a $250,000 fine on the charge of possession of child pornography.

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz and Bruce M. Foucart, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, made the announcement today. The U.S. Attorney’s Office also wishes to thank the Massachusetts State Police and the West Yarmouth Police Department for their tremendous work on the case and their continued cooperation with the prosecution. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stacy Dawson Belf of Ortiz’s Major Crimes Unit.

Members of the public who have questions, concerns or information regarding this case should call 617-748-3274, and messages will be promptly returned.

The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative created in 2006 by the Department of Justice to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.

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

Updated December 15, 2014