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Press Release

West Wareham Man Charged with Child Pornography Offenses

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Massachusetts

BOSTON – A West Wareham man was charged by complaint today in federal court on charges of receipt and possession of child pornography.

Joshua Roe, age 37, was arrested today on a criminal complaint charging him with one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. Roe will appear in federal court later today.

According to the criminal complaint, on Sept. 6, 2024, during a search of Roe’s home, approximately 11 electronic devices belonging to Roe were recovered.  While on site, law enforcement conducted a forensic examination of at least one device, which revealed images and videos depicting child pornography.  

The receipt charge provides for a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison with a five-year mandatory minimum sentence, a $250,000 fine, and a maximum of life with a mandatory minimum of five years of supervised release. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the United States Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Michael Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations; and Walter Correia Wareham Chief of Police made the announcement today. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Sullivan Jacobus of the Major Crimes Unit. 

The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. 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 identity and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

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.

Updated September 10, 2024

Topic
Project Safe Childhood