Rhode Island Fire Marshal Arrested for Child Exploitation Offenses

BOSTON – The Fire Marshal for the town of Lincoln, R.I., has been arrested and charged for allegedly receiving and possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and sending or attempting to send obscene material to minors. The defendant also allegedly engaged in sexually explicit chats with purported minors.

Jeffrey Almond, 41, of Lincoln, R.I., was indicted on one count of receipt of child pornography; one count of possession of child pornography; and two counts of attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor. The defendant made his initial appearance in federal court in Providence this morning and will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date.

According to the indictment, from on or about Feb. 12, 2024, through Nov. 28, 2024, Almond used various online platforms to receive CSAM and to engage in sexually explicit chat communications with undercover law enforcement posing as purported minors. In these communications, it is alleged that Almond discussed the exploitation of children, with the purpose of obtaining CSAM or soliciting a child for sex. It is further alleged that, on two separate occasions, Almond knowingly transferred or attempted to transfer obscene matter to a minor on Aug. 7, 2024, and on Nov. 28, 2024.

According to court filings documents, in August 2024, Almond used a social media app to communicate with an undercover law enforcement officer who was posing as a 15-year-old girl. In the communications, it is alleged that Almond asked the purported 15-year-old minor to produce and share CSAM with him and discussed meeting in person. Almond allegedly stated, “I guess I could do an air bnb to get more privacy,” before sending an explicit image of his genitalia to the purported minor.

It is further alleged that, in October and November 2024, Almond used another social media app to communicate with a different undercover law enforcement officer, who was posing as a “bad parent” of a purported 12-year-old minor female in Florida. In the communications, it is alleged that Almond discussed wanting to have sex with the purported minor, often using explicit detail. Almond also allegedly discussed travelling to Florida to sexually exploit the purported minor.

The charge of receipt of child pornography provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 20 years in prison, at least five years 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 of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charges of attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor each provide for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $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 Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Portsmouth Rhode Island Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Luke A. Goldworm, Project Safe Childhood Coordinator and a member of the Major Crimes Unit, is prosecuting the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

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